Failure to quiz consultant ‘bizarre’

THE Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA) has described as “utterly bizarre” the failure by the author of a report into the Midlands’ Breast Care Crisis to interview the consultant at the centre of the affair.

Yesterday, IHCA assistant general secretary Dr Donal Duffy said consultant radiologist Dr Visalatchee Moodley had been vilified across the country without having the opportunity to present her case.

“I would have thought Ann Doherty [author of one of the reports] should have met her. She does say in her report she conducted interviews with all relevant personnel who could inform the group and assist in establishing all the facts. I find that utterly bizarre,” he said.

Dr Moodley was put on administrative leave from the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise by the HSE last August after nurses in the radiology department raised concerns about over-diagnosis.

When a report was commissioned into the HSE’s handling of the affair Dr Moodley sought to have her views recorded.

On yesterday’s Newstalk 106’s Lunchtime programme Dr Duffy said he had urged Ann Doherty to meet Dr Moodley but to no avail. “[Dr Moodley] was acting as a cautious, careful and considerate doctor and she has been vilified throughout the country.”

At yesterday’s HSE press conference, assistant national director of human resources (National Hospital’s Office) Barry O’Brien conceded Dr Moodley had not been contacted because such interviews were outside the scope of the inquiry.

The Doherty Report detailed the decision making process after the potential for misdiagnosis at the hospital was raised.

The report revealed on August 28 a meeting was held among local management at the hospital to address potential disparities.

The next day a discussion took place between three senior HSE officials including the then Director of the National Hospitals’ Office John O’Brien.

All three expressed reservations about putting Dr Moodley on administrative leave however within 24 hours the decision was taken, on the basis of all information available, to do so.