Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I can tell the Deputy what I know about the matter. I got some information from the statement issued by the Health and Information Quality Authority. The authority announced earlier this year that it was undertaking reviews of symptomatic breast disease services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, including the pathology services at Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital. Those reviews commenced in June and September respectively. I am not aware of any other reports. These reviews are currentlyunder way and are expected to be completed shortly. One review is expected to be completed in December and the other in January 2008. HIQA is the organisation responsible for the reviews. It informed the Minister that if any patient identified in either review requires further review or follow-up treatment, this will be communicated to the HSE immediately which will provide appropriate services to the patient forthwith.

Since September the management at Cork University Hospital has been carrying out a review of the pathology services at the hospital. This is perhaps what was being referred to by Deputy Kenny.

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