UP TO 5,000 patients who attended three hospitals in the northeast are expected to be contacted shortly by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and informed that the results of tests on them are to be reviewed.
It follows the decision to re- examine the work of a locum consultant radiologist who was employed in the region for more than a year. When the review of the locum's work became public at the end of March, the impression was given that it would be on a smaller scale and that only chest X-rays reported on by the doctor would be re-examined.
However The Irish Timeshas learned that, in addition to about 5,000 chest X-rays which will have to be reviewed, a number of CT scans reported on by the doctor will also be re-examined.
This is despite the fact that the HSE said in a statement in March that CT scans would not form part of the review. It said at the time that "the matters under consideration do not relate to breast services and do not relate to mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans or MRI scans".
Asked about the review yesterday, the HSE issued a one-line reply. It said: "The HSE is not issuing any further statement at this time."
It is understood that the HSE has sought experts from the UK to take part in the review.
The review was initiated after a complaint from a doctor in the region that a small number of lung cancers which were obvious on chest X-rays may have been missed by the locum consultant when reading chest X-rays.
The locum worked for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Our Lady's Hospital in Navan and the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk.
The HSE has not disclosed how long the locum worked in the northeast, but it is understood he worked there for more than a year up to 2007. He no longer works in the region.
The HSE said at the end of March that if there were any concerns regarding any aspects of patient care which were found to be valid, the patients and their families would be the first to be informed and supported.
"The main concern for the HSE and its staff and indeed the key learning from recent events in relation to diagnostic services in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, is to ensure that if there are any concerns regarding any aspects of patient care which are found to be valid, the patients and their families will be the first to be informed and supported.
"This requirement to inform patients and their families must take precedence over all other considerations," it said.