DePuy hip replacement recall 'a medical disaster', says expert

An expert from Newcastle University has labelled the recent recall of DePuy hip replacements "a medical disaster".

Dr Thomas Joyce will address those affected at a special conference today.

"It is the biggest disaster in the history of orthopaedics," he said.

To think here we are in the 21st century, in 2011, that we have such major failures. This has major implications around the world."

Thousands of Irish patients who had the hip replacements since 2004 may have to undergo correction surgery.

More than 96,000 patients worldwide have been affected, including 3,500 Irish people.