Cancer diagnosis error instigates hospital inquiry

SERVICES for the diagnosis of cancer at two hospitals will be scrutinised as part of a wide-ranging inquiry to determine how a woman was wrongly given the all-clear for breast cancer.

Pathology services at Cork University Hospital (CUH) and symptomatic breast disease services at the Mid West Regional Hospital in Limerick will be examined as part of a probe into the care provided to Rebecca O’Malley by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

HIQA, the authority appointed to carry out the independent inquiry, will also examine the investigation undertaken by HSE in respect of Rebecca O’Malley. The HSE inquiry blamed human error — the pathologist who issued the incorrect report worked at CUH for approximately one year. The HIQA investigation will include inspection of medical records, imaging and slides.