Opposition anger at delay in cancer diagnosis report

The Opposition today rounded on the Government after it emerged a report probing the misdiagnoses of cancer patients must receive legal clearance before publication.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil the report by Dr Ann O’Doherty into cancer services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, had to be checked by lawyers as individuals were named in it.

Dr O’Doherty, a consultant radiologist, reviewed over 3,000 mammograms at the facility and found nine women, who had breast cancer, had been wrongly given the all-clear.

The Labour Party said Mr Ahern’s comments suggested the report’s publication, which it claims was due by the end of this week, could now be delayed.

It comes just hours before the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, faces a vote of no confidence in the Dáil over her handling of the country’s cancer crisis.

Jan O’Sullivan, the party’s health spokesperson, said: “I am seriously concerned that comments made by the Taoiseach in the Dáil this morning suggest that the report commissioned from Dr Ann O’Doherty into failures at Portlaoise Hospital, which resulted in the misdiagnoses of nine women with breast cancer, may not now be published as promised by the end of this week.

“The Taoiseach told the Dáil on November 6 that the report would be completed that week,” she said.

Dr O’Doherty was commissioned to conduct a review of more than 3,000 mammograms at Portlaoise after suspicions of cancer misdiagnosis at the hospital were aired in August.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Ms Harney, during the first part of a debate on a Labour motion of no confidence against her last night, told the Dáil she was not entitled to see the report.

“The Minister for Health said on the record last night that she’s not entitled to see the report,” Mr Kenny said.

“She’s the Minister for Health.

“She requested and directed that this review be carried out.”

But Mr Ahern said Mr Kenny had misinterpreted what Ms Harney had said.

“In fairness to Minister Harney I understand that that isn’t what she said.

“What she said was that it required legal clearance,” he said.

Ms O’Sullivan said there were particular Dáil committees which allowed publication under privilege, thereby minimising any legal problems.

“This facility should be used, if required, to enable the early publication of the O’Doherty Report.

“Any attempt to suppress or delay publication of the O’Doherty report would be absolutely unacceptable.”

Ms Harney will tonight face a 'no confidence' vote.

Last night she robustly defended her position during the first stage of the motion’s debate.

She said she always placed patient care as her top priority and apologised to the women affected by the misdiagnosis scandal involving three of the country’s leading hospitals.

She also called for cross-party support to reform the healthcare system.

But Labour, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin all criticised the minister for her handling of the affair.

Tonight Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Finance Minister Brian Cowen and Green Party leader John Gormley are all expected to speak in support of the minister.

Mr Ahern has given his full support to Ms Harney and it is expected that the Government will win the confidence motion comfortably.