Call for quick release of X-ray inquiry findings

PATIENT campaigners have called for the speedy release of the Tallaght X-ray inquiry report after health chiefs confirmed the report would not be finished until at least September.

Five months ago, an independent inquiry team began investigating 58,000 X-rays left unread by radiologists and nearly 3,500 GP referral letters that were unprocessed.

Delayed diagnoses at the Dublin hospital saw one patient die and another is understood to be still undergoing cancer treatment.

The independent review, chaired by former Senator Dr Maurice Hayes, had aimed originally to finish its report by mid-July.

“Dr Hayes is finalising it and when it is completed it will be given to the HSE, who will then decide on publishing it. It will be a number of weeks before it is finished,” said a HSE spokeswoman.

The HSE official said the report was not delayed as there had been no timeframe set to finish it.

But the Irish Patients Association said last night the review of the unchecked X-rays between 2005 and 2009 needed to be completed for worried patients.

Association chairman Stephen McMahon said: “I would think a lot of people are anxious to hear the outcome of this report, not only the individual patients but other patient interest groups in Tallaght.

“While there was a best estimate for the end of July, it’s actually imperative in the name of patient safety that this report is presented to the HSE and published as soon as possible.”

Mr McMahon said one of the major concerns was the impact, if any, of the unopened GP letters on patients’ health.

The Tallaght probe is examining if the problems were caused by human error, negligence or systems failures.

Meanwhile, the HSE confirmed last night that a separate internal audit of the extent of unreported X-rays at hospitals nationwide was still underway and would also not expected to be completed for a number of weeks.

The HSE had said that it expected this national review to be finished in June.