Source: Google News

An urgent independent inquiry is to investigate how 15 cancer patients examined at Belfast’s Royal School of Dentistry may have received late diagnoses.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey apologised for the failings which emerged after the review of a consultant’s work.

Professor Philip Lamey has now been removed from his post and is due to face a hearing at the General Dental Council later this year.

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has already identified concerns over 22 patients, 15 of whom had cancer, and last week recalled an additional 117 people to have their cases reviewed as a precautionary measure.

“I want to take this opportunity to apologise to all patients who may have had delays in their diagnosis,” the minister told the Assembly. “The public must have confidence that their treatment will be responsive, rapid and of the highest quality.”

“For the vast majority of people their experiences will reflect high quality care. However, when this care falls short, every possible step must be taken to ensure that patients are informed and any failings are addressed quickly to avoid any unnecessary pain and distress.”

He added: “I have to say that I share the shock and concern that the public will rightly feel about this matter. I am very unhappy about the distress caused to patients and the handling of this matter.”

Concerns were first raised about the consultant’s work in late 2009 when it emerged that six patients with oral cancer had potentially received a late diagnosis. OCF At this stage the Belfast Trust decided to supervise the professor’s work pending a review.

Subsequent investigations identified concerns with a total of 22 patients – 15 of whom had oral cancer and four have since died, three from oral cancer and one from other causes. It is not known whether the late diagnosis contributed to their deaths.

The minister told the Assembly that not all the surviving patients had been told of potential delays but said the Trust would be doing so.