Harney to face 'no confidence' vote

The Minister for Health Mary Harney will face a 'no confidence' vote over the crisis in cancer services as a fifth inquiry into failings in patient care began tonight.

The controversial handling of scores of women awaiting re-examination is being investigated – as 97 other patients anxiously wait to be recalled for breast checks.

In a questionable move, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said 294 women, who have been been given the all-clear, were being contacted ahead of those it’s feared may have been misdiagnosed.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny repeated calls for Ms Harney to resign or face a Dáil motion to remove her from office next week.

“The victims here are the women involved in the misdiagnosis, the women who are sitting in the midlands today wondering if the next phonecall is from the HSE,” Mr Kenny said.

And Labour health spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan launched a fierce attack on Ms Harney claiming she is out of touch.

“While nobody questions Minister Harney’s personal integrity, the patience of the public has now expired at the continued failures in the health service on her watch,” she said.

But Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who offered his regrets to the women, claimed it was gamesmanship.

“I have total confidence, can I say, in the minister,” he said.

“She is working hard to bring in the necessary reforms in conjunction with the HSE.

“Could communication not be done a bit better? – I’m sure it could have been.”

The Taoiseach also accepted there had been a “fair few problems” in the HSE.

Ms Harney has asked the Board of the HSE to review how women were treated as they faced the anxious waits for contact from the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

It is the fifth review concerning cancer services this year.

These 97 women were given the all-clear but a review of their clinical notes by Consultant Radiologist Dr Ann O’Doherty based on ultrasounds raised concerns about potential misdiagnoses.

The HSE later confirmed 364 women will not require follow-up checks after the review of ultrasounds and case notes.

“All are being contacted today, and where unable to speak to them directly, messages have been left. Letters are also being sent to those patients,” a spokeswoman said.

“Review of outstanding clinical notes is continuing in the hospital.”

Meanwhile, a Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report on the case of misdiagnosed Limerick mother Rebecca O’Malley, who was wrongly given the all-clear for breast cancer, is expected to be given to Ms Harney in weeks.

It is examining pathology services in Cork University Hospital, where her tests took place, and breast disease services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, where she was treated.

Breast care at Barrington’s private hospital in Limerick is also being investigated along with a HIQA inquiry on pathology services at University College Hospital, Galway, after a woman being treated at Barrington’s was twice wrongly given the all-clear for breast cancer following tests at the Galway lab.

Portlaoise is at the centre of two other reviews – the initial inspection of more than 3,000 mammograms and the hundreds of ultrasounds and corresponding clinical notes.

Support groups said cancer care was in crisis and Patient Focus said it was deeply disturbed women found out about the review through the media and not from the HSE.

“Patient Focus are deeply upset with the HSE and its failure to put in place a process that would support all patients affected by the controversy,” spokesman Jim Reilly said.

“The lack of communication with patients shows a total disregard for both them and their families.”

Stephen McMahon, head of the Irish Patients’ Association, said: “The events of the last 24 hours have been a dark day for the HSE. It’s fair to call it a crisis.

“But what we are interested in is that the patient is re-established at the centre of the healthcare system.”

Two breast cancer specialist nurses were asked to call the 97 women but only after appointments had been arranged for them. More women are likely to be recalled after their notes are checked at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Irish Cancer Society said it was taking up to 60 calls a day to its breast cancer helpline and said it would make specialist counselling staff available if asked by the HSE.

The HSE has yet to request assistance.

John McCormack, Irish Cancer Society chief executive, described the controversy as a debacle.

“We have asked questions of the board, and of the role of the board in HSE. I would really have thought of an organisation like the HSE that the board have a role in making everything patient centred.

“The HSE board have more to offer in relation to this matter.”