Drumm confirms third cancer misdiagnosis in Ennis

HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm has confirmed that the organisation is investigating a third suspected breast cancer misdiagnosis at Ennis General Hospital.

The facts of the case have yet to emerge, but Health Minister Mary Harney said last night that she did not believe the misdiagnosis led to a fatality.

The news follows the revelation that two women - Ann Moriarty and Edel Kelly - both died earlier this year after being wrongly given the all-clear for breast cancer in Ennis.

Speaking to Clare FM last night, Professor Drumm reiterated his view that the problems arose with sub-standard cancer services that would be eliminated through the centralisation of services in a small number of "centres of excellence".

Ms Harney, meanwhile, has admitted that Ms Moriarty and Ms Kelly were failed by the health service and says she has asked the Health Information and Quality Authority to assess the safety of all services at Ennis Hospital.