Two-thirds of faulty hips were fitted in private hospitals

Private hospitals carried out more than two-thirds of the surgeries involving the use of two defective hip implant devices as a result of which almost 300 patients in Ireland require a second operation.

The latest figures from the Health Service Executive show the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford made most use of the DePuy products which became the subject of a worldwide recall in 2010. As many as 1,114 patients were fitted with the DePuy products at the Waterford clinic, compared to the next highest figure of 339 at the Galway Clinic.

The HSE said yesterday that 192 patients have already undergone revision surgery to replace the faulty implants. A further 96 surgeries have been scheduled. In addition, 23% of patients are due repeat blood tests to check levels of chromium and cobalt as a result of tiny metal shards from the implants entering the bloodstream.