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including patient representation, of the three unpublished internal HSE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.