One patient whose finding was mild has been re-graded to “high”.
It follows a review of histopathology slides, involving a biopsy or surgical specimen by a pathologist.
A number of patients have been invited to “open disclosure” meetings this week.
These meetings are held following a patient safety incident including harm events and near misses.
The Irish Independent asked the HSE national office and also a spokesperson for the the HSE Dublin and North East region last Friday to respond to concerns around issues raised and has only received a response this evening.
The hospital is part HSE Dublin and North East health area.
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – August 26th
The HSE referred the question to the regional communication office which did not respond .When contacted again on Monday the spokeswoman said it was reviewing the matter .
The HSE regional spokeswoman was pressed again by the Irish Independent this morning before it issued a terse statement today.
June Molloy, the Communications and Public Affairs Manager for the HSE Dublin and North East, said that “in the course of our quality assurance process in the hospital, we commissioned an independent look back of all histopathology slides across various specialties in relation to one consultant, focusing on a period from February to November 2024.
“This review is underway and any patients in relation to whom any findings are relevant will be contacted directly by the hospital. HSE Dublin and North East has provided necessary information to the HSE in line with the National Patient Safety Briefing Protocol.”
It is believed that a number of patients are being sent a letter informing them the grading of their pre-cancerous cells are being altered following review.
In some cases the grading is escalated and in others decreased.
In one case a grading of mild has been upgraded to high.
In a foreword to the HSE’s open disclosure policy the HSE’s chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said: “Health and social care staff and services strive to deliver the best care possible for patients. When an incident occurs, our staff and services continue on this path to support those impacted.
“Open disclosure is a means of approaching a difficult situation in the most ethical and person-centred way. It embodies the importance of good communication, listening and providing information that is accessible. Honesty builds confidence. Open disclosure instils trust in our services and helps reduce the likelihood of compounded harm to those affected by the incident. Patients and their family must always remain at the forefront of our approach to delivering care.
“We must approach open disclosure from the view of the patient. What is it that patients reasonably expect and we would expect if we were a patient harmed due to an incident? It simply is the right thing to do.”