Message from the CEO Designate,
Professor Kevin Conlon.
On my appointment on 14
December last, I became aware that there were 57,921 adult x-rays which had not
been reported officially by a consultant radiologist. The majority would have
been reviewed by a non-radiologist. Nevertheless, this is totally unacceptable
and it arose from systemic and process failures. The Health Service Executive
and the Health Information Quality Authority were informed that week.
To clear this back log, I
immediately arranged for the hiring of extra consultants and additional
administrative and technical support. We have appointed a new Head of the
Department of Radiology and we are interviewing next week for a new Clinical
Director in Diagnostics. In addition a new permanent consultant radiologist was
appointed in January and we furthermore sought approval from the HSE for a
further two consultant radiologist positions.
Every patient who has an x-ray
at
I now receive a weekly report
on progress which just shows a back log today reduced by 34,752 to 23,169. The
backlog will be cleared entirely by May.
The technology now in place is
delivering maximum output as staff work longer hours and through into the
weekends to clear this backlog.
It is to the Hospital’s deep
regret that there have been two patients who have had a delayed diagnosis as a
result of this. One of these persons is under treatment at the hospital for a cancer.
The other patient died at the hospital last summer; I was informed of this
latter case today and I am pursuing the matter with urgency.
The Hospital has set up a freephone helpline for patients and their families who may
be concerned, 1800 283059.
The hospital
wishes to stress that there are and never were any paediatric x-rays
involved in this review.