Botched breast cancer-test victim happy with inquiry team

A mother-of-three who was the victim of a botched breast cancer test today welcomed the team of experts that will investigate the circumstances surrounding her case.

Rebecca O’Malley said she trusted that the specialists appointed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will ensure the truth is quickly established.

“It is important to remember that this is not a witch hunt,” she said.

“It is about trying to learn from errors and improving our health service for the benefit for all.”

The group will investigate all the circumstances surrounding the care given to Ms O’Malley by the Health Service Executive (HSE) after the 41-year-old was incorrectly given the “all-clear” incorrectly following a breast biopsy analysed at Cork University Hospital (CUH) in March 2005.

The mother, from Ballina, Co Tipperary, underwent a fine needle biopsy in Limerick.

The following April she went back to her GP complaining of pains in her breast and a second biopsy in June confirmed she had cancer.

Facing a four-week wait for surgery, she flew to London for a mastectomy and over the next five months had intensive chemotherapy.

She underwent further surgery on lymph nodes in December 2006 after cancer traces were detected.

The HIQA has said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the care of Mrs O’Malley in relation to her symptomatic breast disease, and will also examine the provision of the pathology services provided by the HSE at CUH, and the symptomatic breast disease services provided at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

Mrs O’Malley said she particularly welcomed the inclusion of two lay patient representatives on the team, which also boasts experts from Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“I am committed to providing my utmost co-operation and assistance to the investigators as they carry out their work over the coming weeks,” she said.

“I trust that they will meet with openness and honesty from everyone concerned so that the truth may be quickly established.”

Despite being in the midst of recovery, Mrs O’Malley went public with her story after she heard nothing back from the HSE or the hospital for a month.

Following her blistering attack on health chiefs for failing to act when the mistake was first noticed, the HSE confirmed “interpretive human error” was to blame for the misdiagnosis in March 2005.

It also admitted that as a precaution, 28 other cases would be reviewed.

Mrs O’Malley has since met Minister for Health Mary Harney and HSE Chief Executive Professor Brendan Drumm, who apologised and ordered a probe into the blunder.

“The terms of reference will allow the investigation team to conduct a thorough and robust investigation into all aspects of the care received by Rebecca O’Malley,” said Dr Tracey Cooper, CEO of the Health Information and Quality Authority.

“In the interest of a fair and thorough investigation the Authority does not envisage making any further public comment until the investigation has concluded. The investigation report, and its recommendations, will be published following the completion of the investigation.”