Patients groups seek independent cancer scandal inquiry

Patients groups are calling for an independent inquiry into the breast cancer misdiagnosis scandal at Portlaoise Hospital.

The call follows yesterday's revelation that another 97 women are being called in for fresh examinations after initially being given the all-clear in Portlaoise.

Minister for Health Mary Harney says she only found out about the latest cases when they were disclosed at an Oireachtas committee meeting yesterday.

The Marie Keating foundation says the situation has led to distress and uncertainty for thousands of women who now cannot be sure whether their diagnosis was correct.