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Monday, 24 September, 2001, 13:32 GMT 14:32 UK
Medics admit screening failures
The GMC hearing is into its second week
Two consultants accused of serious professional misconduct have now admitted mistakes in their breast screening service.
Radiologists Dr John Brennan and Dr Graham Urquhart, who ran the service for east Devon, are appearing at a General Medical Council hearing. Dr Brennan admitted on Monday that he failed to notice images of malignant tumours in the screening results of nine women at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital between 1991 and 1997. Both doctors have also accepted they did not recall two other women with cancer symptoms for further tests. Critical diagnosis Nor did they make sure their screening images were clear enough to make a proper diagnosis. The majority of women with breast cancer should be spotted without the need for a full operation - but almost no diagnoses were made in this way at the East Devon Breast Screening Service.
Dr Brennan, of Highweek village, Newton Abbot, Devon, was the clinical director of the service from October 1990 until he took paid leave in June 1997. Last week the GMC was told he failed to carry out a key test on dozens of women, involving taking a sample of cells from the suspected cancer with a fine needle. As a result, he failed to detect cancer in 10 women between 1990 and 1997, it was alleged. Dr Urquhart, of Churston Ferrers, Torbay, Devon, was accused of failing to recall three patients for assessment who had "significant clinical signs or symptoms". Service 'disgrace' He also allegedly failed to properly carry out the needle test on another 49 patients between 1991 and 1997. Both doctors had denied serious professional misconduct. Dr Brennan resigned from the unit in 1999. The service was branded "a disgrace" by the then Health Secretary Frank Dobson. The hearing continues.
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