The tests concern patients from the Limerick area and were sent to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for testing and were re-examined as part of the current HIQA investigation which is due to report its findings next month.

Meanwhile, politicians in Cork are calling on the HSE and Minister for Health to take greater responsibility for the current situation in cancer services. South Central Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer said, “It’s time we had accountability in the health service and that has to start at the top with the Minister. We are talking about human lives here. The Minister for Health must take responsibility”.

His party colleague, TD Deirdre Clune has called on the Government to set out a detailed programme of implementation including time scales for the eight centres of excellence in cancer treatment promised throughout the country.

Deputy Clune said, “This shocking situation, following as it does on the news of incorrect procedures at Barringtons Hospital Limerick and the misdiagnosis at CUH (Cork University Hospital) in the Rebecca O’Malley case, have resulted in a serious lack of confidence among the public in the ability of the health services to provide competent diagnostic services.

“I support the development of centres of excellence but believe that the Minister has to deal effectively with the very real crisis of confidence among the public who have no other option but to put themselves at the mercy of these services.”

She concluded, “To tell women that these proposed centres of excellence are the answer to their problems is of no comfort. What they want to know is the service they used yesterday, will use today and may have to use tomorrow is working and is 100 per cent reliable. To date they have not got those assurances from the Minister”.

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