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MHA Foote pleased with commitment to
reduce turn-around time of radiology reports
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Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says that after three days of questioning, she was pleased to hear the Minister of Health and Community Services commit to a 10-day turn-around time in the review of questionable radiology reports at the Burin Peninsula Health Centre, but notes the issue needs further attention at this time to calm residents= fears and concerns. The Eastern Health Authority had indicated that the time frame in which the review could be completed was anticipated to be between four to five weeks. In response to Foote=s questions on the issue in the House of Assembly again today, the minister stated that the Authority had been ordered to carry out the review in a maximum 10-day period. AThat reduction in wait time will certainly help to lessen the duration of the stress now being experienced by residents who have had radiology tests at the hospital,@ says Foote. AHowever, I=d feel more confident of this time frame if a definite date was given, which is why I feel that more can be done at this time to help lessen the stress being experienced with respect to radiology reports conducted at the centre since November 2006.@ Foote explained to the minister in the legislature that while 6000 reports involving some 3,500 patients are now under question because of one radiologist=s alleged misinterpretations, any person who has had radiology tests in that time frame are now wondering if their tests were involved. AI suggested to the minister that to calm the concern and anxiety of the total patient group, that Eastern Health should commence immediately to contact those whose testing was carried out by the suspended radiologist. As it stands now, no one who has had tests done at the centre knows which radiologist handled their radiology readings. AEastern Health has already identified the 3,500 involved, it=s just a matter of putting together a phone team to convey the message and make those directly affected aware that their results are under review. That way, those who have not been contacted by a certain date can be reassured that their test results remain accurate. It is just another way for government to show that they have an appreciation of the current stress levels arising from this shocking incident and to provide some peace of mind at least to those who do not need to worry unnecessarily.@
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