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Dozens of women recalled for breast cancer checks over fears doctor may have given them all clear by mistake

  • Five women were found to have breast cancer despite being given all clear 
  • Oxford University Hospitals Trust have sent 30 letters recalling patients 
  • All were checked out by the same doctor, who is still working within trust
  • A review of 626 women screened between 2011 and 2014 was carried out 
  • Trust would not reveal whether the doctor would face disciplinary action  

By
Jennifer Smith For Mailonline


Published:
12:00 EST, 14 August 2014

|
Updated:
13:59 EST, 14 August 2014

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Dozens of women have been urgently recalled to hospital for breast cancer checks amid fears a bungling doctor may have mistakenly given them the all clear. 

Thirty women were sent letters by Oxford University Trust Hospital asking them to return for screenings at Churchill Hospital as soon as possible this week. 

It comes after five women, all treated by the same doctor, were found to have developed breast cancer despite being given the all clear. 

Thirty women were recalled to Churchill Hospital in Oxford for further tests after being given the all clear 

The trust, which has four hospitals, carried out a review of 626 women who were all screened by the doctor. 

Thirty patients were identified as possibly having been given the wrong information and have been recalled for further tests. 

While the doctor responsible is not carrying out screenings anymore, they are still operating at the hospital in a different department.  

The trust said it had launched a ‘serious’ investigation into the blunder, but would not confirm whether the medic would face disciplinary action. 

A spokesman said: ‘The doctor’s practice is under review but there have been no conclusions yet.

‘They are not currently undertaking assessments but they have not been suspended and we are satisfied that they are still employed here. 

‘The situation was triggered by five cases of women who developed breast cancer after their screening by this specific doctor. 

‘All of this doctor’s assessments have been reviewed, of that there were 30 where we wanted to check further and do further tests to reassure ourselves and the women concerned.

‘We have had an expert external reviewing of the functions and processes of the Breast Screening Service – that function overall is safe. 

‘No one has been suspended and the review is ongoing.’ 

She would not confirm whether the doctor would face disciplinary action at any point. 

Dr Tony Berendt, interim medical director, said: ‘Our first priority is to review the 30 women who may have had an insufficient assessment at their last visit.

The trust said it could not speculate on the outcome of the recall and were not prepared to reveal whether the doctor would face disciplinary action 

‘While we are calling those women for early review, we would also like to reassure the women of Oxfordshire that there are no concerns about how the screening service functions overall.

‘Women can be confident about the quality of the service they receive. It is monitored closely and the wider investigation was triggered by the trust’s own quality review processes.

‘We cannot speculate on the outcome of the recall.

‘We are extremely sorry for the anxiety that will no doubt be caused to women who have had to be recalled and we will be offering them every support throughout this process.’  

 

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