Eight People Died

In two hospitals in Ireland between August 2006 and August 2007 people with treatable lung cancer were misdiagnosed and given the all clear. Now eight of the nine people misdiagnosed are dead and you have to suspect their lives were shortened if not lost by not being treated in time.

Health Minister Mary Harney has expressed her sympathies to the families of the deceased patients.

But don't worry, the Minister is on the job and action will be taken.

As a result of this review, the HSE, the Department of Health and the Faculty of Radiology of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland are to develop an agreed protocol and guidance around complaints of error in radiology, the minister said.

So if anyone out there finds themselves dying as the result a cancer misdiagnosis they can rest assured that there will now be an official form they can fill out to express their dissatisfaction. Just make sure you fill it out correctly you might not get a second chance.