Harney and Drumm face grilling over cancer reports

The Minister for Health and the chief executive of the HSE are set to face a grilling over cancer treatment services when they appear before an Oireachtas committee at Leinster House today.

The meeting follows yesterday's publication of three reports into the breast cancer misdiagnosis scandal at Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

The reports were severely critical of the HSE, but no individuals have been blamed for the blunders that led to nine women being mistakenly given the all-clear for cancer.

Opposition politicians have already attacked Health Minister Mary Harney and HSE chief Brendan Drumm for failing to accept responsibility for the situation.

However, Ms Harney and Mr Drumm say their contentious plan to introduce centres of excellence for cancer patients would ensure such scenarios do not arise in the future.