The Opposition has demanded that the Government establish a full and independent inquiry into cancer care at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise after it emerged that two more women, who had been given the all clear following mammograms, have now been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Minister for Health Mary Harney told the Dáil yesterday there were now nine women who had been misdiagnosed at the hospital.
Ms Harney also confirmed that Dr Ann O'Doherty, the specialist radiologist who is preparing a report for the Health Service Executive into the misdiagnoses, had served on the interview panel which appointed the consultant at the centre of the controversy.
Fine Gael spokesman on health Dr James Reilly said this suggested a potential conflict of interest. He said justice not only had to be done but had to be seen to be done.
"It will certainly undermine confidence in the review and I consider it [ the appointment] ill-advised in the extreme on the Minister's part. Fine Gael's calls for an independent inquiry should now be heeded," he said.
Labour Party spokeswoman on health Jan O'Sullivan said it was essential that there was a fully independent inquiry into all aspects of the Portlaoise affair.
"I don't in any way question the integrity of Dr Ann O'Doherty, who has been asked to report on Portlaoise hospital, but the public interest demands that there be a full and independent inquiry," she said.
"It is regrettable that the Government has, so far, refused to acknowledge the need for such an initiative."
A spokesman for the Health Service Executive said it did not believe there was any conflict of interest involved and that Dr O'Doherty was well qualified to carry out the review.
Ms Harney said women could have the utmost confidence in the clinical review of 3,037 mammograms carried out by Dr O'Doherty and her colleagues. She said Dr O'Doherty had an international reputation as a breast radiologist.
Meanwhile Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that the Government fully backs the new national cancer strategy which will see existing services withdrawn in some parts of the country.
In a statement issued after meeting Prof Tom Keane, the new national cancer control programme director, Mr Ahern said the Government acknowledged that there would be difficulties during the current transition period. It accepted the concerns of people who felt services were being taken away from their areas, he said.
"However the primary objective has to be the quality of care for patients and not the location of the facilities and I believe that this cancer strategy is the right one in the long-term interests of all cancer patients", Mr Ahern said.
Under the new strategy, cancer services are to be concentrated in eight centres of excellence around the country.
The Taoiseach said he had assured Prof Keane on behalf of the Government that it would give its "full and enthusiastic backing to the national cancer control programme and to everyone who is involved in this vital project. He will have our full support at every stage of the journey."
Ms Harney will today chair a meeting of cancer experts at Farmleigh to discuss the new strategy and will introduce cancer specialists to Prof Keane.
