Review of gynaecology patients launched at Northern Ireland hospital
- Published: 23 June 2008 10:58
- Author: Steve Ford
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- Last Updated: 23 June 2008 10:58
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An urgent review of patient care is due to carried out at a hospital in Northern Ireland.
The Southern Health Trust said that failings had been identified in the work of a senior member of staff at Daisy Hill hospital in County Down, which had affected more than 300 gynaecology patients.
However, the trust was adamant that the health professional at the heart of the concerns had been employed temporarily and was no longer working at the organisation.
Dr Patrick Loughran, the trust's medical director, said: "A review of notes of just over 300 patients who were seen by the individual between January and May is currently underway. This comprehensive exercise is being conducted as a matter of urgency and is expected to take two weeks to complete.
'We will then be in a position to provide further information to patients,' he added. 'The trust would like to apologise for any distress or anxiety this exercise may cause but I would stress that this is a precautionary measure in order to rule out any uncertainty.'
A trust statement said it would also be writing to all patients whose notes were being examined in the review and a telephone helpline had also been set up.
