Patients query extent of X-ray crisis

PATIENTS embroiled in the Tallaght Hospital X-ray review scandal have called on the HSE to immediately confirm whether the crisis is being repeated in any other facility.

In the aftermath of revelations that 57,921 X-rays were not adequately reviewed at the Dublin hospital, the HSE wrote to all acute facilities asking them to guarantee they were not facing similar concerns.

The health body insisted it would confirm whether the Tallaght situation was being repeated in any other facility as a matter of urgency.

However, despite the audit beginning almost three weeks ago, the Tallaght Hospital Action Group (THAG) said no figures have been made public.

And warning the group is aware of a number of hospitals where “consultants are suddenly putting in a lot of overtime”, chairperson Triona Murphy said there were growing concerns a wider crisis is being swept under the carpet. “What we are saying is that the Tallaght Hospital’s X-ray figures became public knowledge three weeks ago tomorrow.

“The HSE said it was writing to every acute hospital to confirm nothing similar was going on in other hospitals, but none of the responses to that have been released. We are aware of some hospitals where consultants are suddenly putting in a lot of overtime, including saturdays and sundays, and I would be concerned not all the information is being made public,” she said.

Responding to claims by Health Minister Mary Harney that blaming her for the crisis was a culture “unique” to Ireland, the patient representative added: “The Doherty and FitzGerald reports, that are freely available on the Department of Health’s website, were written after the Portlaoise breast cancer problems.

“Because of those reports Minister Harney organised a serious incident protocol so that in the event of any major problem the HSE chief executive, the chief medical officer of the department, and subsequently the minister, would be informed.

“This didn’t happen with Tallaght Hospital. We don’t expect her to take the blame for everything, but we do expect her to go along with the protocols she introduced.”

Meanwhile, the head of the HSE-organised independent inquiry into the Tallaght Hospital X-rays and GP referral letters scandal has moved to assure patient representatives that his report will not act as a government whitewash.

Dr Maurice Hayes, who was a member of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, met with THAG representatives on Thursday. During the meeting he said all findings connected to his inquiry would be made public. The Tallaght-specific inquiry is due to conclude in June.

The Irish Patients Association questioned why the terms of reference have left out any reference to Ms Harney if “immediate patient or staff safety” issues are uncovered.