‘Scandalous’ attempts to inform women they may have cancer

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has been lambasted for its “scandalous attempts” to inform women in the midlands whether they needed surgical follow-ups after uncertainty arose about the validity of their ultrasound investigations.

Patient Focus and the Labour Party criticised the HSE for not providing counselling for the 97 women.

There was also widespread condemnation of the HSE helpline, with former patients at Portlaoise saying they telephoned repeatedly seeking information on Thursday evening and again yesterday — only to get an answering machine.

It was 5pm yesterday before nurses began phoning the 97 women to break the news that their ultrasound results may need revision.

The women were told a Dublin consultant and a team of doctors would be at Portlaoise today for consultation with them.

About 294 women were reportedly telephoned by HSE staff to inform them there was no issue with their original ultrasound result.

This latest cancer blunder arose during a review of 568 ultrasounds carried out at Portlaoise during November 2003 and last August.

A review of the remaining 177 ultrasounds was due to be completed last night.

Labour health spokes-woman Jan O’Sullivan said it was “unbelievable” just two breast care nurses were deployed to break such difficult news to the women.

The HSE’s head of consumer affairs Mary Culliton said the HSE “had brought on a huge number of people to look after” informing patients. But she admitted just two nurses would inform the women.

Referring to the helpline, she said: “All the women will be phoned back ... We have had technical problems.”

The Action Breast Cancer helpline can be contacted on 1800-139040.

The line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.