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There is no criminal investigation "at this stage" following the damning review of Jersey's rheumatology department which found that hundreds of patients had been misdiagnosed and wrongly given powerful drugs, according to the Home Affairs Minister.
In a written question earlier this week, Deputy Jonathan Renouf asked the Deputy Mary Le Hegarat to "advise if any criminal investigation is underway" following the publication of the Royal College of Physicians' review of Jersey's rheumatology department.
"No criminal investigation is underway at this stage," Deputy Hegarat said, but added: "The States of Jersey Police routinely considers any referral which may be made to them, including whether any requisite legal thresholds/tests have been met."
Pictured: Rheumatology deals with arthritis and several other conditions that affect the joints, tendons, muscle, ligaments.
Published at the start of 2024, the Royal College of Physicians' full review of Jersey's rheumatology department "found the standard of care to be well below what the review team would consider acceptable for a contemporary rheumatological service".
The report revealed a "lack of governance, not just in rheumatology but across the healthcare organisation".
The review also noted that in some cases there was “no evidence of clinical examination” and there was “on occasions, an incorrect diagnosis”.
Health Minister Tom Binet was also quizzed about the rheumatology review in this week's States sitting.
He confirmed that the investigation was "ongoing", and said that the Health department had now completed the review of patients who had been on biologic drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or were otherwise under the care of the two doctors concerned in the review.
Deputy Binet explained that the department was now reviewing the case notes of any patients who had been under the care of the rheumatology and had subsequently died – although he reiterated that many of these deaths will have been completely unrelated to their rheumatology care.
He explained: "This final review includes a clinical audit to be followed by a mortality learning review for any case where concerns are raised.
"A further update will be provided once a final review is complete."
Pictured: Interim Chief Officer of Health, Chris Bown with the Royal College of Physicians' damning review of Jersey's rheumatology department.
Deputy Binet added that all patients – both inpatient and outpatient – had now been seen in review appointments
"Work continues to determine levels of harm that might potentially have been caused to patients," he said.
"We still have a duty to write to any patients who have suffered significant harm as a result of the treatment by HCS staff. This is part of the duty of candour.
"We will, of course, be writing to any such patients very shortly."
Earlier this year, law firm Viberts confirmed it was dealing with more than 110 inquiries from rheumatology patients with a potential claim against the Health department – which the Health Minister acknowledged in States Assembly.
He said: "Mindful that some patients may wish to seek legal redress, HCS is working with lawyers to consider the most appropriate approach to medico-legal matters related to rheumatology.
"Our intention is to develop an approach that is patient-friendly, not overly protracted, and represents a patient's right to seek independent legal recourse."
Deputy Binet did not answer a question on the nature of harm and whether he was aware of any patients who might have died as a consequence of their treatment.
He said the investigation was still ongoing and that it would be inappropriate for him to answer in the States Assembly.
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