Clinic reopens after breast-cancer testing scandal

A special breast cancer clinic reopens tonight for women affected by the Midlands Regional Hospital scandal.

More than 100 women were called back for second assessments amid fears they were wrongly given the all-clear.

Eighty-two women were seen on Saturday by three Dublin based cancer specialists who travelled to the private Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise.

The remaining women will be checked tonight from 7pm.

A spokeswoman for the Health Service Executive (HSE) said a handful of women had yet to be contacted to arrange appointments but they are confident of seeing everyone.

The cases were re-examined as part of an inquiry into misdiagnosis at the controversy-hit Midlands Hospital after it emerged that more than 500 women who only underwent ultrasounds were having their clinical notes re-assessed.

A total of 364 patients were identified as not requiring follow-up treatment with the HSE confirming 97 cases had to be re-assessed.

More have been identified but the HSE declined to disclose the numbers insisting only a handful of women were involved.

Reviews are also ongoing at Cork University Hospital and University College Hospital Galway where at least 15 women are expected to be recalled for more tests.