Tragic death of Ann Moriarty – EDI statement

Our  deepest sympathies go out to Ann Moriarty’s family on their loss of a wife

and mother to cancer and their obvious pain as a result of disturbing deficits

in our breast cancer services. From the facts that have been reported in the

media (Thursday 11th September 2008) it is quite clear that there are still a

number of serious questions that need to be asked and addressed by the HSE. In

the first instance, Europa Donna Ireland is calling for an independent review,  


Our  deepest sympathies go out to Ann Moriarty’s family on their loss of a wife

and mother to cancer and their obvious pain as a result of disturbing deficits

in our breast cancer services. From the facts that have been reported in the

media (Thursday 11th September 2008) it is quite clear that there are still a

number of serious questions that need to be asked and addressed by the HSE. In

the first instance, Europa Donna Ireland is calling for an independent review,  

including patient representation,  of the three unpublished internal HSE

investigations.

Ann Moriarty was clearly at risk both in terms of her age, but particularly

because of  her previous diagnosis and treatment. She was still in the 5 year

period of active follow up and should have been getting annual mammograms, blood

tests and regular follow-up sessions with her medical team.

Having attended St James Hospital which is a designated Specialist Breast Centre,

it appears that Ann was attending Ennis General Hospital for follow up – but

Ennis is not a designated Specialist Breast Centre. Many questions arise.  It is

not clear how that follow up was managed or the extent to which she was informed

of what to expect in terms of best practice in follow up.

The facts emerging again highlight the necessity and the importance of having

specialist breast centres with triple assessment and a multi disciplinary team of

specialist breast cancer professionals in place. Requirements which are clearly

detailed in the  National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast

Disease Services, drawn up by Professor Niall O’ Higgins and his team, and

launched in May 2007.  The paramount need in Ireland is to concentrate breast

cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in specialist centres that are

appropriately and adequately resourced and staffed and ultimately independently

accredited.  This is a priority for the Interim Director , National Cancer

Control Programme, Prof. Tom Keane and in the meantime there is an urgent need

for the  HSE  to  communicate to  hospital health professionals, GPs and women

what the transitional arrangements are and what they  should do in the interim.

The  reported   failure to diagnose from an x-ray and failure to act on abnormal

blood test results again raises questions and suggests inadequately trained /

specialised  staff and / or inadequate equipment. Ann Moriarty’s family’s

concerns need to be addressed immediately.

Yet again, answers need to be provided to all these questions, if those

responsible for managing and delivering the services are to learn any lessons

from it .and if confidence in the ability of the health services  to tackle this

disease effectively is to be restored.

One year on from the shocking revelations since Rebecca O Malley first went

public on her misdiagnosis in May 2007, Europa Donna Ireland is hosting a

conference ‘Surviving Breast Cancer’ on Saturday the 27th of this month in the

Alexander Hotel in Dublin at which Professor Tom Keane, will report on the plans

and progress in relation to Specialist Breast Centres in Ireland and Dr Tracey

Cooper, CEO of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will report on

their review of breast cancer services in Ireland.

Breast cancer is such a pernicious and elusive disease and women and GPs in

Ireland need to know what to expect not only in terms of risk, diagnosis and

treatment but also recovery and follow up. The issue of what women need to know

about  follow up after treatment will  be led  by Professor Niall O’Higgins  and

the role of the patient advocate in campaigning for best quality services will be

explored by Judy Caldwell, Founder of the British Columbian branch of the

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
 
Registration is free, either online at www.europadonnaireland.ie or by email:

ediconference08@gmail.com. The conference will present an opportunity to raise

and discuss concerns around follow-up and will also provide the opportunity to

ask questions and debate these issues.

 

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