Apology over botched cancer tests

Surgeon Ben Mak no longer works at the facility

A hospital has apologised to patients recalled for further tests amid fears they may have been wrongly given the all-clear from cancer.

Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, in Somerset, admitted 1,828 colonoscopies were incorrectly carried out between October 2005 and March this year.

A Dutch surgeon Ben Mak is being investigated by the General Medical Council in connection with the case.

The procedure uses a camera to check for bowel disorders, including cancer.

Independent investigation

The privately-owned facility sells services to the NHS and sees 12,000 patients a year.

The alarm was raised in March after a colonoscopy patient was diagnosed with colon cancer by a specialist doctor at an NHS hospital.

Mr Mak was suspended and resigned month later following a review of his work.

The treatment centre records all colonoscopies on DVD so experts were able to review his work over a six-month period.

Following investigations, 480 of the patients have now been told they do not have cancer.

But about 100 patients have been urged to have a follow-up investigation as a priority, while 755 patients have been advised to see or speak to their GPs and 480 people have been told that further investigations may be needed in the next five years.

A spokesman for Shepton Mallet Treatment Centre said: "We are very sorry that we have had to recall some patients for a follow-up investigation.

"We understand the concern and distress that this has caused and we are doing all we can to support patients.

"The General Medical Council has been informed about this surgeon's work and a full independent investigation is being carried out."

A telephone helpline has been set up for concerned patients on 0800 412 5575