A major investigation has started at Letterkenny University Hospital after hundreds of errors were found in a locum radiologist’s work.
The Irish Times reports that a review has been ordered after one third of the locum’s work contained errors.
The locum consultant’s contract was terminated within 10 days as a result of concerns raised about the standard of their work, according to Saolta University Health Care group.
The senior member of staff who identified issues with the locum’s work after their departure complained to management about its initial failure to review scans, according to internal correspondence seen by The Irish Times.
In October, senior hospital staff and local GPs called for an external inquiry into the hospital, claiming it is close to collapse. Among the problems it faces are extreme difficulties in recruiting and retaining senior medical staff.
In relation to the review of scans, a Saolta spokesman said: “A full review of the relevant clinician’s work is under way to provide assurance regarding patient safety.”
The consultant worked in the hospital for seven days, he pointed out.
The hospital quality and patient safety service has a “clear pathway” for addressing concerns about clinical care, which is currently being followed, the spokesman added. “In the event that any cases of misdiagnosis come to light patients will be contacted with full open disclosure and appropriate arrangements put in place for follow up care, in accordance with national policy.”
After the locum’s contract was terminated, a senior consultant at LUH asked the hospital and Saolta management to review the person’s work. The consultant claimed, in correspondence seen by The Irish Times, that he did not get a reply. He then reviewed the CT scans performed by the locum and found an error rate of 37 per cent.
According to the consultant, he received no response when he brought this to the attention of hospital management. “To date, I have not received a reply from management regarding the review of 238 X-rays and 66 ultrasound scans performed by this radiologist,” the letter sent to management in October said.
Having “lost all hope” of the department being fully led by consultants, he said an external review of management of the radiology department was now required.
