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The case files of five deceased rheumatology patients have been referred to the Viscount because their deaths could be linked to the treatment they received – and it is "quite possible" that number will grow.
Health Minister Tom Binet today said that the ongoing review into the deaths of 182 former patients will "take some time to complete" and that more information will be presented to the Health Advisory Board next month.
It recently emerged that the deaths of some rheumatology patients are to be referred to the Viscount, as Health officials believe they could have been caused by the treatment they received.
Pictured: Interim Chief Officer of Health, Chris Bown with the Royal College of Physicians' review of Jersey's rheumatology department.
It comes after an independent review of the island's rheumatology department "found the standard of care to be well below what the review team would consider acceptable for a contemporary rheumatological service".
Published at the start of 2024, the Royal College of Physicians' report revealed a "lack of governance, not just in rheumatology but across the healthcare organisation".
During this morning's States sitting, Deputy Jonathan Renouf – who had previously raised concerns over the "serious situation" – asked Deputy Binet for a further update on the review.
The Health Minister replied: "The mortality learning review is actually an ongoing process that will take some time to complete. There's no conclusive or meaningful information available at this time."
Pictured: Health Minister Tom Binet said it was "quite possible" that more rheumatology cases could be referred to the Viscount.
However, Deputy Binet revealed that five cases have been referred to the Viscount to-date, and that an "interim report" will be compiled over the next month to be presented to the Health Advisory Board at the end of July.
He also acknowledged that "it's quite possible more [cases] will be sent as well".
During the sitting, Deputy Binet also stressed that it was "well known that all areas of the hospital will be reviewed over the course of time" and that "it's inevitable that more problems will be found in certain areas".
He said: "There are no new reviews underway at present, but we have identified the next area for review, and that process will begin in the next few weeks.
But Deputy Binet added that he did not feel it would be "appropriate to broadcast what particular area this will be".
He explained: "In the event that little of substance is found to be wrong, all we would have achieved is to cause a great deal of unnecessary stress and anxiety to recent and current users of that service.
"I don't think that would be a very helpful approach."
Pictured: The Hospital had to recall 20 women for breast cancer screening and review more than 2,700 scans over fears that a radiologist misdiagnosed patients.
The Hospital recently had to recall 20 women for breast cancer screening and review more than 2,700 scans over fears that a radiologist misdiagnosed patients.
And Express revealed today that the Royal College has been invited to closely examine at least three other areas of Health.
A review of Orthopaedic Surgery and Theatres was due to be conducted in April, and a review of Neurology by the Royal College of Physicians has also been commissioned.
The independent board responsible for overseeing Health's operations also requested a review of General Surgical Acute on-call services back in September. That review was due to take place in April.
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