Drumm raises concern over value of screening in book
In a new book to be published later today, Prof Drumm expresses concern about the value of breast screening for some women in the context of warning about the dangers of “over-investigation” and “over-treatment” by medical staff.
It comes after Prof Drumm yesterday met TDs and senators at Leinster House to explain the HSE’s response to the failure by the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise to diagnose at least eight women with breast cancer.
Writing a chapter about the future of the health service, Prof Drumm said the practice of doctors carrying out every possible investigation to ensure that 100% of disease possibilities were ruled out was unsustainable in the long-term. He argued that money would be better spent on tackling real illnesses rather than implementing major screening programmes and other programmes for treating potential illnesses.
“There is now evidence to show that breast cancer screening, as well as having potentially positive effects for some women, may have negative health effects for others,” observed Prof Drumm.
His comments are made in a chapter written for Ireland 2022: Towards One Hundred Years of Self-Government — a new book being published today to mark the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Public Administration.
Defending the HSE, Prof Drumm insisted that most people received excellent care from the health service, “despite the many claims to the contrary”.
Looking forward, he said the health service should be driven by clearly defined performance indicators by 2022 which he predicted would encourage competition between public and private hospitals to focus on funding efficient services.
He also forecast that competition and EU law in future would challenge the concept that the public health service should have a virtual monopoly over the provision of so many services.
