A senior medical consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda is under investigation after concerns were raised about his work practices by colleagues.
The doctor, who has been employed as a locum consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, has had his practice restricted since 2004 and is currently prohibited from doing any operative procedures.
In a statement today, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed it had sought an external review of the practice of the doctor in 2004 after several medical colleagues voiced concern about his work.
"The HSE has an obligation to provide safe systems of healthcare and related services for patients and clients to the highest possible quality. It is also responsible for providing a safe working environment for staff," it said. The HSE said the review is now complete and the report is imminent. It is expected to be given to the HSE in weeks.
A HSE spokeswoman said the review was initially delayed because of a problem in getting an outside expert to analyse the doctor's work.
The investigation follows a damning report - published in March - into the practices at the obstetric unit of the hospital where the obstetrician Dr Michael Neary worked.
The report found an abnormally high number of hysterectomies was carried out at the unit between 1974 and 1998 - the majority by Dr Neary.
