Rebecca O'Malley report delayed

[Posted: Fri 14/12/2007 www.irishhealth.com]

'New information' has come to light which has led to the postponment of the publication of the Rebecca O' Malley report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

The report was due to have been published on Monday, but publication is now likely to be delayed until January.

The review, by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), has looked at the case of Rebecca O'Malley, who was wrongly given the all-clear for breast cancer and subsequently had to have an emergency mastectomy.

It has also looked at the overall provision of pathology services at Cork University Hospital (CUH) and symptomatic breast disease services at Limerick Regional Hospital.

Ms O'Malley attended Limerick Regional and her test was was analysed in Cork. The report was expected to be strongly critical of HSE service provision.

Dr Michael Durkin, who is heading the HIQA investigation team, said new information had been brought to the attention of the Authority and the investigation team in the past few days which needs further investigation.

He said that as a result of this, it would be premature to publish the report now and make recommendations without fully investigating the new information which has come to light.

Dr Tracey Cooper, CEO of HIQA, said women should not be concerned by this delay.

"We need to investigate this new information in the interest of assuring that all concerns are thoroughly addressed as part of the investigation."

HIQA has not revealed what this new information is and says it cannot comment on the nature of the information until it completes the investigation.

Tony O'Malley, Rebecca O'Malley's husband, said they supported HIQA's decision to postpone publication.

A publication date is still awaited for the report on the mammogram review at Portlaoise hospital.