Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not in a position to speak on behalf of St. James's Hospital. It has its own legal personality and its own board. I understand that they issued a statement in the matter last night. I sincerely hope that the second patient has been informed that a misdiagnosis occurred in her case. I believe that if this has not been done it should be done. I am absolutely firm on that. I do not have access to individual patient information or patient details. Even if St. James's Hospital wanted to do so it is not allowed to give private patient information to me or to any politician. There are very good reasons for that.

The Minister for Health has advised me that the national cancer control programme and the Chief Medical Officer have been consulted on this issue and they are satisfied that there is no ongoing patient safety risk. It is important that we assure patients who are still attending St. James's Hospital for cancer treatment that there is no ongoing risk.

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