Harney announces inquiry into cancer services at Ennis General

An independent inquiry is to be carried out in to cancer services at Ennis General Hospital in Co Clare.

Health Minister Mary Harney announced a three-month inquiry in the Dáil this afternoon.

The inquiry be carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). It will be targeted at patients who attended hospital breast clinics in the past two years and who did not have a diagnosis of cancer, but who have concerns.

Two women, Anne Moriarty and Edel Kelly, died from cancer this year after they were misdiagnosed at Ennis General.

HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm has also confirmed that the HSE is investigating a third suspected breast cancer misdiagnosis at the hospital.

Announcing the inquiry today, Minister Harney said: "We must learn from the tragic experiences of Anne Moriarty and Edel Kelly. I am confident that HIQA’s report will help us ensure that our services meet the standards which all our patients are entitled to expect."