Cancer misdiagnoses - Quality care for patients is essential

The discovery of two more misdiagnoses among the more than 3,000 mammograms re-examined at the Midlands Hospital in Portlaoise highlights the importance of the new National Cancer Control Programme.

The latest cases mean that a total of nine women were wrongly diagnosed as being clear of cancer.

The issue of these misdiagnoses is being investigated, but Dr James Reilly, the Fine Gael spokesman on health, has already raised the issue in the Dáil of a possible conflict of interest in that investigation.

The person conducting the inquiry was a member of the interview panel that appointed the radiologist who has been placed on administrative leave in relation to those cases.

This is not in any way to question the integrity of the person conducting the inquiry, but she has been placed in an invidious position.

It is imperative that the inquiry into what happened should be seen to be as independent and impartial as possible in the interests of all concerned.

The Taoiseach promised yesterday that Professor Tom Keane, the director of the National Cancer Control Programme, would have the full backing of the Government in ensuring that the programme’s primary objective will be the quality of patient care.

Prof Keane comes to the job highly recommended with a good record, and he should be given the freedom to insist that the designation of each centre of excellence should not be dictated by political or other influences, but based solely on providing the best quality care.