Patients delayed seeking files on faulty hips

People damaged by the DePuy faulty hip replacements scandal are struggling to access their medical files — and may be unable to sue unless they receive the documents by the middle of next month.

Patient representatives told the Oireachtas Health Committee of the problems, which are in addition to a lack of any compensation offer to date, during a lengthy meeting yesterday.

Patient Focus officials said international medical devices firm DePuy has agreed to cover the out-of-pocket expenses and the cost of rehabilitative surgery of those affected. However, they stressed that to date no compensation over the damage the faults have caused has been provided.

They noted that some patients may be unable to sue if they do not receive the documents by the middle of next month, the two-year cut off point from when the hips were first recalled.

Approximately 3,500 Irish people had defective hip replacements fitted before a recall in Aug 2010.

Responding, Dr Joe Devlin and Orla Healy of the HSE’s quality and clinical care directorate said more than 80% of all patients affected were seen within three months of the 2010.