Review into 'missed' cancer cases

The pathologist no longer works at the hospital

Hospital staff are trying to contact patients who were treated by a pathologist who failed to diagnose cases of cancer.

Wrexham Maelor Hospital said three patients had been wrongly told they had nothing to worry about, despite some tissue tests showing signs of cancer.

Hospital officials said another 12 cases might have been "misreported".

Patients worried about their own test results between April 2006 and September 2007 can call 01978 726155.

The North East Wales NHS Trust said errors had been identified within a "limited number" of diagnostic test reports issued by the hospital's histopathology department.

It has become clear from the cases already studied that 12 more cases may also have been misreported North East Wales NHS Trust

It said the errors related to tissue samples "reported on" by a pathologist during April 2006 to September 2007.

Hospital officials named the pathologist as Dr Roger Williams, a former medical director of the trust, who was said to be "extremely distressed" by what has happened.

Dr Williams had been working as a locum at the hospital following his retirement from the post of trust medical director three years ago.

He was described as "very well respected" by officials, who said he stood down as locum shortly after the problems came to light last September.

The errors emerged following the introduction last May of a new system of "double checking" negative biopsy results.

In a statement, the trust said: "The errors initially identified concerned three patients who had been advised that their tissue samples did not give reason for concern, when in fact they should have been told that they were clinically suspicious and, in some cases, actually indicative of cancer.

"Each of those three patients are now undergoing treatment, where appropriate."

After advice from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath), it launched an independent, clinical review of a sample of the work undertaken by Dr Williams over 18 months, from April 2006 to September 2007.

"Although this review is not yet complete, it has become clear from the cases already studied that 12 more cases may also have been misreported and contact with those patients is now being made by the trust."

'Worry and distress'

The trust said it was now investigating every tissue test - 4.500 cases - reported on by Dr Williams over the 18-month period.

It will also conduct a 10% sample test on of Dr Williams's work going back to September 2004 to see if the review should be widened.

The trust said the review related to tissue samples and not, for example, blood tests, cervical smears, urine tests, swabs or x-rays.

A phone line has been opened for patients at the hospital

It added: "The care and well-being of our patients is our highest priority and we have acted as quickly as possible upon discovering the issue.

"While we recognise that this press statement may cause worry and distress we would like to reassure patients who may be concerned that we are using all possible resources to investigate every case and to contact affected patients on an individual basis as quickly as possible."

Clwyd South AM Karen Sinclair said she was "very concerned" about the errors but urged patients to contact the helpline.

She said she would be calling for a detailed investigation once the initial concerns had been dealt with.

"Even a small number of test irregularities will cause many of the people who have been treated at Wrexham to be very worried indeed."

The helpline, launched on Wednesday, will be available between 0800 GMT and 2000 GMT. Concerned patients can also visit www.wrexhamhelpline.org.uk.

Are you one of the patients who has been misdiagnosed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, or do you know anyone affected? If so, you can contact us using the form below.

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