Health

Northern Ireland radiology review finds 43 ‘discrepancies’

Northern Health Trust’s examination of radiologist’s image reporting is 60% complete

Some 43 ‘discrepancies’ have been found in a radiology review by the Northern Health Trust. File photograph: Getty Images

Wed Aug 25 2021 - 20:23

Some 43 "discrepancies" have been found in a radiology review by the Northern Health Trust.

Earlier this year the trust announced it was to conduct a lookback review of more than 13,000 images of patients examined by a former locum consultant radiologist.

The initiative was triggered after concerns were raised by the General Medical Council.

The radiology image reporting completed by the radiologist that is the subject of the review relates to the period between July 2019 and February 2020.

READ MORE

On Wednesday, the trust said the review is now about 60 per cent complete.

So far 43 “discrepancies” have been identified, it said.

Dr Seamus O’Reilly, medical director at the Northern Health Trust, said that as of Tuesday, August 23rd, a review of 7,902 images had been completed, just more than 60 per cent of the total.

“To date, we have identified Level 1 discrepancies in a total of six images,” he said.

“Level 1 discrepancies are errors or omissions in reporting which could have had immediate and significant clinical impact for the patients concerned.

“In addition we have identified a further 37 images with Level 2 discrepancies ie reporting errors or omissions with probable impact for patients.

“Most of the images categorised as having Level 1 and Level 2 major discrepancies are CT scans but some are MRI scans, chest X-rays and other X-rays.”

The trust said it has been able to provide assurance to 4,012 patients or their parents/guardians that there is no further cause for concern, about 44 per cent of the total of 9,091 who received initial letters informing them that their images or those of their charges would be part of the review.

Dr O’Reilly said the review is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

“The review is progressing well and we are hopeful that we can complete the remaining images, just over 5,000, over the next few weeks,” he said.

“Our clinical subgroup continues to meet on a weekly basis to review patients whose images have been categorised as Level 1 or Level 2.

“It also considers some Level 3 images to decide what actions are appropriate.”

The review concerns 13,030 radiology images taken in Antrim Area Hospital, Causeway Hospital, Whiteabbey Hospital, Mid Ulster Hospital and the Ballymena Health and Care Centre and which were reported on by this radiologist.

The review commenced at the end of June.

A helpline and dedicated email address were established for anyone who received a letter and was particularly concerned.

The freephone telephone number 0800-234377 was set up and can be called from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

There is also the dedicated email address: radiologyreview@northerntrust.hscni.net. – PA

LATEST STORIES