GALWAY HOSPITAL APOLOGISES FOR CANCER MISDIAGNOSIS

Date Published: 06-Aug-2007

A Galway hospital has apologised to a woman with breast cancer after two sets of test results incorrectly gave her the all-clear.

Reports this morning say the woman – who lives in the midwest area – had her treatment delayed by eighteen months as a result of the mistake, which occurred in pathology services at University College Hospital in Galway.

UCHG says that contact was made with the woman, her family and her clinician and an unreserved apology has been issued.

An independent review is to carried out into the incident by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

The H-S-E says it’s also conducting an internal check of test results issued by the lab during the periods concerned.

UCHG has set up a telephone hotline for members of the public who may be concerned about their own test results.

THe number is 1800 252 016 and is in operation from 9am to 5pm daily.