180 patients recalled so far in review of doctor’s work

A REVIEW of thousands of scans in University Hospital Kerry has led to 180 patients being recalled for repeat-testing.

More than 46,000 images had to be reviewed after it was discovered that a locum radiologist failed to diagnose serious illnesses including cancer in seven patients.

So far the review has identified ten patients who had a missed or a delayed diagnosis from the radiologist in question. As of Thursday, 82.8% of the review is complete with the number of images reviewed at 38,289, from a total of 46,235.

The number of patients whose imaging has been reviewed is 22,933, accounting for over 86% of 26,756 individual patients.

The number of patients who have been recalled for repeat imaging to date is 180 and this week two patients will require further investigation, bringing the number to ten.

Health Minister Simon Harris has said he expects the review to be done towards the end of the month at which time he will meet with the heads of the hospital group to assess how the misdiagnoses occurred.

The radiologist at the centre of the controversy no longer works in the hospital. The review concerns X-rays, CAT scans, and ultrasounds completed in the hospital between March 2016 and July 2017.

Patients will only be contacted by University Hospital Kerry if an issue is identified in the review of their scan. Patients who believe their scan, X-ray or ultrasound may have been affected can contact a hospital helpline on 1800 742 900.

Separately, in Wexford General Hospital it emerged that a clinician in the hospital missed a probable 13 cancer diagnoses and hospital chiefs ignored repeated concerns over the medic’s ability.