Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority into the care provided by the HSE to the named individual commenced in June 2007. In December 2007, information came to the attention of HIQA that led it to decide that further work was needed. I have been informed by HIQA that it expects this report to be published before the end of February 2008.

The HSE has advised my Department that a report on the reviews of mammography services and ultrasounds in Portlaoise will be published when the necessary legal requirements have been completed. The legal process is ongoing. Due process and natural justice must apply in respect of this report and any report where the findings in that report may affect the professional reputation of any individual. The report on the review of circumstances which gave rise to the placing of a radiologist on administrative leave in Portlaoise is complete and is with the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive.

The report I requested from the HSE board into the events following the HSE decision to initiate a clinical review of breast cancer services at Portlaoise, being carried out by Mr. John Fitzgerald, is currently being finalised.

The review team carrying out the review of breast services in Barrington's Hospital and medical centre expects to finalise the draft report in the next few weeks. Following the completion of the necessary legal requirements, the report will be submitted to me and to Barrington's Hospital.

The investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority into pathology services at University College Hospital Galway was commenced in September 2007. I am informed that significant progress has been made in this investigation. While it is difficult to predict precisely at this stage when the work will be completed, it is hoped that the investigation will be concluded by the end of March 2008 and the report will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

The pathology review in Cork University Hospital is currently being finalised. It will then be submitted to the director of the national hospitals office.

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