Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she has taken or proposes to take to prevent the recurrence of misdiagnosis in respect of cancer patients, including misreading of reports, X-rays and scans; if provisions have been made to deal with these issues thereby restoring public confidence in a most sensitive area of the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42468/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to address the ongoing issue of early diagnosis and thorough examination of X-rays, scans or other tests with a view to improving cancer and/or other services generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42790/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 280 together.

An accurate initial medical diagnosis is the foundation upon which all subsequent healthcare decisions are based. Unfortunately, research studies and experience have demonstrated the extent to which misdiagnois in cancer cases occurs. It is important to note that radiology and other diagnostic procedures used to identify the presence of cancer are not precise, error-free scientific techniques. International studies suggest that the incidence of discrepancies and errors in general radiology practice lies between 2% and 20%. This range of errors is a worldwide phenomenon and includes all radiology departments.

The health service is taking very seriously all cases of misdiagnosis and is implementing measures to minimise their recurrence. Clinical governance within healthcare systems reduces the likelihood of errors occurring and increases the likelihood of detecting those errors which do occur. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is fully committed to driving change and, in partnership with its clinical staff, doing all it can to enhance patient safety at all levels. It will recruit a new National Director of Clinical Care in 2009 to oversee this process.

A number of other actions are underway drawing on the experience of previous reviews. These include assuring compliance of service providers with key performance indicators, especially in the area of breast cancer, for which there are national quality assurance standards. The HSE put in place national guidelines in May this year regarding the level and recruitment of locums. These guidelines will continue to be reviewed and monitored. While errors in radiology cannot be eliminated, the HSE will monitor radiology practice to ensure that appropriate standards of practice are in place and the risk of misdiagnosis is minimised.