Misread scans the subject of HSE review at Navan Hospital

Misread scans at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan which led to a number of patients being recalled to the hospital, are now the subject of a review.

Among them was a woman whose scan showed a blood clot in her lung, but who was sent home and told there was nothing wrong with her.

A higher than average error rate in radiology reports was noted at the hospital, leading to a review which is currently underway.

According to a spokesperson for the RCSI Hospital Group, of which Navan is a member, all patients affected by the review to date have been contacted.

“As part of our quality assurance framework, there is a robust audit process for completed radiology diagnostics. An above average error rate was noted on reports completed by one radiologist. This prompted a wider review which is currently ongoing.”

One of those whose case is being reviewed is a woman who attended the hospital with a pain high up on her back in May of last year.

“They did blood tests and suspected a clot and I was admitted and kept overnight.

“I was scanned the next morning, told I didn't have a blood clot, and that I could go home,” she recalls.

“I still had terrible pain and went privately for an MRI scan which showed I had a broken vertebrae. I was given pain killers until it healed.”

Six weeks ago, she was contacted by a new doctor in Navan. “I was told the scan I had last May was misread and that I'd had a clot on my lung.

“I was fast-tracked in for scans and I have an appointment to see the doctor on 10th April.

“I presume I would have been rushed in if the clot was still there, so it must have dissolved itself,” she said.

“It is horrifying to think I was sent home with a clot on my lung. If it had killed me, we might never have known that it had already been there.”

Deputy Peadar Tóibín said this was an issue of serious concern.

“Many patients have contacted me with worry about their own scans. We need this investigation to get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible. We need the patients concerned to get the best possible treatment immediately. Our Lady's Hospital is a great hospital with great staff. What we need now is the proper investment into services and staff in the hospital to ensure that the people of Meath have the treatment that the are entitled to.”

He said that shockingly the Minister for Health still plans to close Navan A&E.

In response to a Parliamentary Question the HSE said: “Currently, there are no agreed timelines to progress the next phase in the reconfiguration of the Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan to a 24/7 Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) facility”.

“The government blatantly state that closure of the A&E is the next phase. The government TDs and Senators need to stop this plan in its tracks. This cannot be allowed to happen,” Deputy Tóibin said.

“The Save Navan Hospital Campaign will hold a bucket collection in the town centre, Navan on the 17th/18th May to raise funds to employ consultants to write a report as to what investment is needed to make our hospital one of the best in the country and to secure our A&E. Investment and extra staffing should be the solution, not closure”.