The provision of cancer services is the central issue in the debate about the current debacle that has highlighted the incompetence of the Minister for Health and Children. While I have asked questions about this matter on a number of occasions, little clarity has been given in response. I hope the communications difficulties in this regard have been resolved now that the Minister's job is on the line. I would like to ask specifically about reports that a review was commissioned into the work of a pathologist who spent six weeks working at Cork University Hospital in July and August of this year. According to an extract from the review, which was published in today's Irish Independent, the pathologist in question was guilty of “serious diagnostic errors”. The review goes on to state:

From a review of 166 cases, 15 were reported as negative or inadequate when in fact these samples contained malignancy or features suggestive of malignancy.

I want to make it clear to the Taoiseach that I am not referring to the Health and Information Quality Authority's report. I am referring to a report into the work of the pathologist in question that was commissioned by the hospital. It is separate from the authority's report. When was the report received? Does it confirm that there were 15 misdiagnoses? When were the patients whose cases were misdiagnosed informed of their misdiagnoses?

I can tell the Deputy what I know about the matter. I got some information from the statement issued by the Health and Information Quality Authority. The authority announced earlier this year that it was undertaking reviews of symptomatic breast disease services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, including the pathology services at Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital. Those reviews commenced in June and September respectively. I am not aware of any other reports. These reviews are currentlyunder way and are expected to be completed shortly. One review is expected to be completed in December and the other in January 2008. HIQA is the organisation responsible for the reviews. It informed the Minister that if any patient identified in either review requires further review or follow-up treatment, this will be communicated to the HSE immediately which will provide appropriate services to the patient forthwith.

Since September the management at Cork University Hospital has been carrying out a review of the pathology services at the hospital. This is perhaps what was being referred to by Deputy Kenny.

Yes. This is a separate review from that of HIQA.

This began in September, three months after the review I mentioned. It was as a result of concerns about the work of a single pathologist who worked in the hospital on a locum basis for a short period. As it does not form part of the HIQA review, I presume it is the review to which Deputy Kenny refers. The Department and the Minister were informed of this review on 23 November. The Minister understands that in the course of this review, so far several patients have already been recalled for review and appropriate care by their doctor. The HSE has informed departmental officials that it will conclude this review shortly. The Minister understands that patients requiring review will be contacted and offered appropriate care as soon as they are identified. The HSE had informed the Minister that this pathologist no longer works in any of its hospitals. Steps have been taken to ensure that the regulatory authorities in this jurisdiction, where it is believed this person resides, have been informed so that appropriate action can be taken.

I am glad the Taoiseach's briefing note allows him confirm that this was not part of the HIQA report and that this was a special separate report commissioned by Cork University Hospital into the work of a pathologist. If I recall correctly, the Taoiseach stated that the Department was notified on 23 November that this review was in train. Can he inform me from his briefing notes when the first misdiagnosis was identified and when that first patient was contacted? Since this report into the work of a pathologist was first commenced, will the Taoiseach confirm that to date, 15 misdiagnoses have been identified by that separately-commissioned review? Of those 15 misdiagnoses, what was the period between the patients being identified and receiving treatment, counselling or other assessment that might be necessary? Will he confirm there are now five separate reports in train? I refer to the report from the review in Portlaoise, the HIQA report on Cork, the HIQA report on the pathology unit in Galway, the inquiry into Barrington's Hospital and this specially-commissioned report by Cork University Hospital on pathology. This information is fundamental to the motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children. These questions must be answered. I was truly shocked to hear during the course of this week that the Minister for Health and Children was unable to acquire details about questions such as this.

The HIQA report announced earlier in the year was on a review of symptomatic breast disease in both Limerick Regional Hospital and including the pathology services at Cork and at Cork University Hospital. This was one part of the review. The CUH review is a separate review of the same hospital. There is also a review at Portlaoise. Other changes have taken place in the system during the course of the year, including decisions made about cases from Mullingar General Hospital being referred to the Mater Hospital and about which I answered questions some weeks ago. However, if I recall correctly, that decision came about as a result of the pending retirement of the consultant rather than a review of work.

The Department and the Minister were informed of the review on 23 November. It seems that the review began some time in September since when the hospital management at CUH have been carrying out a review of the pathology services at the hospital as a result of concerns about the work of a single pathologist who worked in the hospital on a locum basis for a short period. As I do not have an exact number of patients, I cannot confirm whether it is 15 patients as requested by Deputy Kenny. In the course of that review, several patients have already been recalled for review. It is not stated what the purpose of the review is but it is obvious some of the work was considered and these patients were recalled. They were given appropriate care by their doctor. The HSE has informed departmental officials that this review will be completed shortly and that patients who need review will be contacted and offered appropriate care as soon as they are identified. Anyone who has been identified in that review to date has been dealt with and the work is ongoing.