Breast screening tests to be reviewed

THOUSANDS of women are to have to have breast screening tests re-examined amid concerns over the clinical judgment of a senior doctor.

The consultant radiologist at the centre of the scare has been suspended from duty while his work at three leading hospitals is reviewed.

Already, the Antrim Area Hospital has announced it is calling 44 women back for immediate reassessment this week after a review of just over 500 patients.

Action was taken and the consultant suspended after staff at the hospital raised concerns about his clinical judgment. The Belfast City Hospital announced it was reviewing the cases of more than 2,000 women to decide whether they need to be seen again.

Hospital chief executive Quentin Coey said they had decided as a precautionary measure to “review each of the cases with which this radiologist has been involved since his appointment in November 2004”.

He said the review process would be completed as quickly as possible.

“I apologise for the understandable anxiety which can be caused by a measure of this kind but would wish to emphasise that this action is being taken as a precaution.”

In Derry, the Altnagelvin Hospital said it would be reviewing several thousands patients in whose assessment the suspended consultant was involved while he worked there for two years until 2003.

However, chief executive Elaine Way said they were confident their system of team working will have prevented any problems.

“We are satisfied that the systems in place, including double-checking of results, will have ensured that the opportunities for misdiagnosis are absolutely minimal.”

Northern Ireland Health Minister Shaun Woodward yesterday ordered an investigation into the consultant’s work and asked Dr Robin Wilson, director of Breast Screening Quality Assurance in the East Midlands, to lead it.

Mr Woodward said: “I recognise the huge concern and anxiety that will be raised by this matter. I want to reassure all women who have used the breast screening service that we believe this to be an isolated set of incidents related to one consultant.”

All women who face being recalled for further examination are being written to.