Patients In All Clear Error

A doctor working in two Manchester hospitals who wrongly gave the all-clear to 20 breast cancer patients has been suspended from practising for 12 months.

One of the women died after the misdiagnosis of consultant radiologist Amjad Husien was not spotted for three months.

A General Medical Council panel ruled he "repeatedly failed to provide an acceptable level of care to patients" in his breast imaging work at Trafford General Hospital.

He placed patients at risk and showed serious and persistent failures to meet required medical standards, the panel added.

Dr Husien's breast scan blunders led to a review of almost 2,500 mammograms at Trafford General and North Manchester General Hospital, where he also worked.

A total of 176 women had to be recalled and retested after the mistakes were identified in April 2005.

Sitting in Manchester, the fitness to practise hearing concluded he failed to correctly interpret mammograms for 13 patients and ultrasounds for seven patients.

A report by Professor Mark Baker on behalf of NHS North West into the misreadings ruled that Dr Husien's failure was "compounded by systematic weaknesses in Trafford NHS Trust."

In response, symptomatic breast care services were withdrawn by Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust and alternative arrangements put in place in Wythenshawe.

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www.gmc-uk.org/ (General Medical Council)

Stephanie Forman from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: This situation could have been avoided with greater care being taken by the Trust in assessing the Doctors suitability to practice in this complex area of imaging.

We would welcome a thorough investigation into how this could have gone on for so long without being noted and actioned by the Trust Risk Management.

If you've experienced negligent treatment from your doctor you might be entitled to compensation. Visit our Doctor Negligence Claims page for more information.