Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of inquiries, reviews and investigations currently under way in relation to the cancer services at Portlaoise Regional Hospital; the terms of reference of each; the expected completion date of each; and if she will confirm that all reports will be published on completion. [34449/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The review of mammograms at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise is complete. A report on the review will be published by the HSE after any individual identified in it has been offered the opportunity to comment, as is the normal legal requirement. A separate clinical review of ultrasounds at Portlaoise was completed last week and no cancers were detected in this review. A report on this will be published by the HSE when the necessary legal requirements have been completed.

I have asked the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE for a report on the circumstances that led to the decisions by the HSE to suspend breast radiology services at the Hospital, to place a consultant radiologist on administrative leave and to initiate a clinical review of breast radiology services at the Hospital in the period November 2003 to August 2007. I have also asked for a report from the Board of the HSE on the management of all events starting from, and subsequent to, these decisions. I expect that both reports will be completed early in the New Year. The HSE has also informed me that it is still dealing with the situation regarding the Consultant Radiologist who has been placed on administrative leave. As regards the terms of reference of the reviews, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.