The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D., has today (5 March 2008) published two reports relating to breast cancer services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.

The first, prepared by Ms Ann Doherty (currently Acting Head of the National Hospitals Office at the HSE) was requested by the Department’s Secretary General. It deals with the background to the decision to suspend breast radiology services at Portlaoise in August last year and initiate a clinical review of those services. The second, prepared by the HSE Board on foot of a request from the Minister and with the assistance of Mr John Fitzgerald, examines the management of all events following that decision.

A report, by Dr Ann O’Doherty, on the clinical review of over 3,000 mammograms is being published this afternoon by the HSE, as well as a report on a review of ultrasounds.

The Minister said: ‘The events that were the subject of these reports caused serious concern to many patients and their families in the Midlands.

‘Clearly, the greatest distress was caused to nine patients identified by Dr Ann O’Doherty’s review who had a delay in their diagnosis of cancer. I want to reiterate our apology to those women on my behalf and on behalf of all those involved.

‘I thank Dr O’Doherty, her medical colleagues, nurses and staff who gave expert treatment to those patients, and who also provided assurance to hundreds of other patients.

‘The report prepared for the HSE Board by Mr John Fitzgerald concludes there were serious weaknesses of governance, management and communication in dealing with the situation which arose at Portlaoise. This resulted in unnecessary anxiety for many women. That should never have happened. We are now taking steps to ensure that similar events do not happen again.