Cancer errors doctor apologises

Dr Husien worked at North Manchester and Trafford hospitals

A doctor whose mistakes led to 22 women with breast cancer getting the all-clear, has said he deeply regrets any distress caused to patients.

Consultant radiologist Amjad Husien's wrong diagnoses led to a review of nearly 2,500 mammograms.

As a result of the review, 17 of the women heard their chances of surviving were "significantly" affected.

Dr Husien was suspended by hospital bosses in Trafford, Greater Manchester, after staff questioned his work.

In a statement released by Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority on Thursday, Dr Husien said: "I deeply regret any distress or suffering experienced by patients and their relatives arising from this review.

Seventeen women had a diagnosis delay of more than three months

"I have cooperated fully with the trust during their investigations, and continue to do so.

"As aspects of the investigation are still ongoing, I am unable to comment further at this stage."

Hospital bosses have admitted the consultant had questions raised about his work only months into his job at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.

Dr Husien, who worked at two hospitals in Manchester, was questioned six months into his post, but allowed to carry on for more than a year after that.

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

Health managers have admitted 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.

Seventeen of the cases had a delay in diagnosis of more than three months.