Earlier concerns over radiologist

Seventeen women had a diagnosis delay of more than three months

A radiologist whose mistakes led to 22 women with breast cancer getting the all-clear had questions raised about his work just months into his job.

The consultant radiologist, who worked at two hospitals in Manchester, was questioned six months into his post - but allowed to carry on for another 17.

Health managers have admitted that some of the women could die because of mistakes made from April 2003.

Almost 2,500 scans were checked again after concerns came to light last year.

But it has emerged that work done by the radiologist, who has been suspended, was first questioned by his colleagues at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust in 2003.

The radiologist worked at North Manchester and Trafford hospitals

David Cain, the trust's chief executive, said the early concerns were taken seriously by the trust and checks were made on his work.

"These provided assurance that the consultant's standards and methods of practice were satisfactory," he said.

"Only one issue was found to require further action. The doctor was requested routinely to obtain all previous mammograms when reporting on the current mammogram.

"The consultant was advised of this and agreed to change the practice.

"No instances were raised of missing any serious breast diagnoses until April 2005, and the trust took immediate action, as detailed in the Mammography Review Report issued yesterday (Tuesday)."

Mr Cain said discussions were held about the consultant's work in gastroenterology as well as the breast clinic.

He said there had been no impact on patients.

Three-month delays

The mammograms carried out by the consultant at North Manchester General Hospital and Trafford General were recalled and re-checked after concerns were raised in April 2005.

An expert panel was called in to investigate and their report was published on Tuesday.

It states that decisions for 238 patients were wrong, and of those, 22 women who were given the all-clear have now discovered they have breast cancer.

Of those 22, 17 had a delay in diagnosis of more than three months.

Delays of more than three months for the diagnosis of breast cancer can have serious implications.

One woman had a delay of two years before she was told she had breast cancer.