Second probe into breast cancer tests
The British government launched its own inquiry today into the breast cancer assessment of nearly 7,000 women by a suspended radiologist in Northern Ireland.
The new probe will run parallel to an investigation already under way into test results at two Co Antrim hospitals over a two-year period.
Dr Robin Wilson, the Nottingham-based expert who is heading the initial inquiry, said a team of consultants is currently reviewing 1,900 cases at Belfast’s City Hospital and 5,000 at Antrim Area Hospital.
A total of 44 women have so far been recalled for further assessment but the results are not yet available.
Dr Wilson, director of Breast Screening Quality Assurance, East Midlands, hailed the pace of the investigation.
He said: “What I have to emphasise to you is the speed of this process, in my experience, is unprecedented.
“I have been quite impressed by the organisation here in Northern Ireland in that we have managed to review the vast majority of the assessment cases within a week.”
The clinical director of the Nottingham Breast Institute said previous reviews he had been involved with, in Exeter and Epping, had taken up to seven months, while the reassessments took weeks.
Dr Wilson said his completed report will be with the Department of Health before the end of December.
Experts from Dublin and Glasgow will be among those taking part in the probe, which is expected to take 10 days.
But the availability of consultants means the process cannot take place for 10 consecutive days.
