Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The HSE has recently received the report of the independent review undertaken by Dr Maurice Hayes. The review deals with the delay in reporting radiological examinations and the management of GP referral letters at Tallaght Hospital. It is hoped that the findings of the review will be published in the coming weeks. Prior to the separate clinical review of 57,921 X-rays carried out in Tallaght Hospital, two cases of delayed diagnosis emerged. No further cases were identified during this clinical review which was completed in April 2010.

All the GP letters have been opened and examined. It was found that 2,328 related to the period 2002 to 2008, of which 1,269 no longer required appointments. The relevant GPs were informed. Of the remaining cases, 1,059 patients were allocated appropriate orthopaedic and physiotherapy appointments. Additional clinics were held at the hospital to deal with the remainder of cases identified. All outstanding appointments will be completed by the end of next month.

See this speech in context