Hundreds of patients have been recalled to Irish hospitals after errors were discovered in X-ray readings taken by three locum radiologists.
The mistakes have reportedly led to a late cancer diagnosis in one case and thousands of scans had to be reexamined after colleagues raised concerns about the quality of the work to the Health Service Executive.
The radiologists worked at seven hospitals around the country: Cavan Monaghan Hospital, Kerry General Hospital and Bantry General Hospital. The locum who was based in Bantry later worked in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, Wexford General Hospital and Roscommon Hospital.
Neither of the three locums is currently employed in Ireland and all have been reported to the Irish Medical Council.
Almost 4,500 scans and X-rays taken between May and September 2013 had to be rechecked in Bantry, where 50 patients were recalled. A further 62 patients were asked to return to the hospital in Cavan, while six more were recalled in Kerry.
According to the HSE, anyone who has not been contacted has no cause for concern.
