HSE shortlists consultants to lead X-ray probe

THE HSE has short-listed four internationally renowned consultant radiologists to lead a “warts and all” investigation into Tallaght hospital’s X-ray review standards.

The Irish Examiner understands that the shortlist, which includes at least two physicians from outside Ireland, will be reduced to a single candidate by the end of this week.

No terms of reference for the HSE-organised review are due to be finalised until Friday.

However, it has been confirmed that the successful candidate, who will be paid a set fee for participating in the process, will be tasked with examining all aspects of the X-ray examination crisis at the Dublin hospital.

Those in charge of similar investigations are normally based in Ireland due to their knowledge of the system.

However, a HSE spokes-person has confirmed that the shortlist will have a “national and international element” in order to ensure the chair of the investigation does not have a conflict of interest in the case.

It is believed the candidates include at least two individuals from Britain and Northern Ireland.

A similar nationwide audit of X-ray review systems in every Irish hospital is being drawn up by the HSE’s Serious Untoward Incident Unit.

Patient groups including the Tallaght Hospital Action Group (THAG) and the Irish Patients Association (IPA) have warned that the credibility of both probes could be under threat due to the HSE’s involvement.

The groups have called for the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) – which is the independent statutory body established in 2006 to investigate health service concerns – to take control.

However, HIQA has yet to have any involvement in either investigation.

Meanwhile, Tallaght-based patients have repeated their call for a face-to-face meeting with the hospitals chief executive, Prof Kevin Conlon, over the X-ray and GP referral letter scandal.

At a meeting last night, THAG said members formally voted for the meeting to take place, and urged the hospital to answer a series of questions on the crisis.

These include the specific public-private patient breakdown of the 57,921 patients whose X-rays were not reviewed by a consultant radiologist and what response the hospital made to more than 40 letters sent by its staff warning of a crisis over the past four years.

The patient group has also called on the hospital to clarify whether new consultant radiologist posts have been made available at the expense of other positions due to the ongoing health service staff embargo.

A Tallaght Hospital spokesperson told the Irish Examiner this information would not be available for the considerable future, despite the facility being aware of the full extent of the crisis since December.

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Charlie O’Connor, has insisted the lack of transparency on the issue means the HSE should be forced to take up its seat on the voluntary hospital’s board to ensure information is available outside the facility.

However, a HSE spokes-person said this would be “inappropriate” as the health body funds the facility, and that taking one seat out of 23 on a board would prove “ineffective”.