THE Hospital has had to recall 20 women for breast cancer screening and review more than 2,700 scans over fears that a radiologist misdiagnosed patients, the JEP can reveal.
The embattled department has also had to apologise to a further 14 women whose breast cancer diagnosis could have been detected earlier. As a result, some women’s cancer treatment was delayed by as much as a year.
The problems came to light after a member of staff at the Hospital blew the whistle, the JEP has learned.
The revelations come after a damning report by the Royal College of Radiologists in January that revealed infighting between staff in the radiology department, and a complaint by a member of Hospital staff about a radiologist who wrongly interpreted the results of breast cancer scans.
The JEP learned about the reports and the recalls in May 2024 but agreed not to publish the story until all of the patients had been notified, and to avoid women having to endure weeks of worry waiting to be called back to be screened again. In a statement, Health confirmed that those who had not received a letter by today were not affected.
“I am sorry that by undertaking this limited recall we may cause some anxiety, but I am sure that this precautionary approach is the right one,” said Simon West, deputy medical director at Health.
“We have apologised to those patients who are being recalled for further tests, and those who have had a delayed diagnosis, and we will ensure that these patients are all seen within the next few days.
“I should, however, take this opportunity to underline the fact that breast screening is one of the best ways to spot an abnormality that is too small to feel or see. We know that, in the UK, breast screening saves around 1,300 lives every year.”
RCR report
Health has not published the RCR report despite having had it since February 2024, but it is believed to be heavily critical of the radiology and mammography departments at the hospital. This newspaper’s requests for a copy have been declined.
However, sources unhappy with the situation within Health have told the JEP that the report includes allegations that infighting between staff members, and particularly between consultants, was obstructing the work of the department.
The Royal College of Radiologists confirmed to the JEP on 13 May that it had carried out the review. It emerged last week that the RCR report is one of two commissioned by Health, the other carried out by the British Society of Breast Radiologists in March 2024.
That report found that a full recall of the radiologist’s scans since he began work at the Hospital in 2019 was not necessary, but Health said that it ordered a full review anyway.
FoI
A request for a copy of the RCR report under the Freedom of Information Act was refused on 5 June. In its ruling, Jersey’s FoI office said that Health planned to make the report public within 12 weeks, and that it would be presented to the Health Advisory Board at the end of July.
The JEP has appealed against that decision, arguing that Health has had the report since January 2024, and that HAB meets each month and could be given the report at the June meeting, rather than in July. The JEP has also requested email communications between Health Minister Tom Binet and senior civil servants that may explain the reasons for the four-month silence.
Health
In a statement, Health said that while the issue related to a single radiologist, the affair had wider lessons for Health on the need to improve governance in the Mammography Department.
“The RCR and BSBR reviews referred to above are consistent with the findings of the review of governance and quality of clinical care in Jersey that was completed in the summer of 2022 and on which much positive progress is being made,” he said.
It also said that the fact the incident was reported by a member of staff showed that the situation at the Hospital was improving after multiple scandals, with people now prepared to raise concerns.
“It’s very important that healthcare staff feel free to speak up when they see something they think is not quite right. And when somebody raises questions about the practice of a colleague it is vitally important these matters are taken seriously, fully considered, and thoroughly investigated. That is exactly what we have done in this case,” it said.
Rheumatology
The recalls come just months after a scathing report by the Royal College of Physicians into Jersey Hospital’s Rheumatology Department was finally published by the government in January 2024, nearly two years after complaints were made about the department by a member of staff.
It found that the standard of care at the department was “well below what was […] acceptable”.
It cited a number of specific failures, including incorrect diagnosis of patients and the inappropriate prescribing of medicine. In one case, a consultant working in the department had not completed a recognised rheumatology training programme.
Jersey’s Health Department now faces legal action from patients, and Deputy Tom Binet confirmed that the department had “received a number of potential compensation claims”.
If you have been affected by the recall or work at Jersey Hospital and have a story to tell, get in touch confidentially at: ocrowcroft@jerseyeveningpost.com.
Health urged anyone concerned about the recalls to contact its free and confidential Patient Advise and Liaison Service (PALS) at +44 (0) 01534 443515
