A fundamental review is needed to restore faith in breast cancer tests following another case of misdiagnosis, the Labour Party said today.
The party's spokeswoman on health, Liz McManus, said the second case involving a woman mistakenly being given the all-clear was an "alarming development that points to the need for a fundamental review of how these tests are carried out and checked".
Minister for Health Mary Harney has issued a public apology to the woman whose diagnosis of breast cancer was delayed by 18 months due to the pathology test errors.
The woman was twice given the all-clear following tests for cancer, but both tests subsequently proved false.
Ms Harney has also ordered a "prompt investigation", which may extend beyond the laboratory at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG) where the errors occurred on two dates over 18 months.
She has asked her officials to examine "the most appropriate and effective mechanism" for the investigation, including the option of a statutory inquiry that would require Government approval.
She says she intends the Medical Council to be fully briefed on the case and request it to examine "relevant aspects" under its own statutory powers.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has confirmed it has been asked to undertake a review of pathology services at UCHG at the hospital's request.
But Ms McManus said today: "If we are to reduce the incidence of breast cancer it is essential that women have confidence that they will receive prompt and accurate of results when they submit for a biopsy.
"There is now clearly a need to review a system where the result given can depend on the individual judgement of one individual expert, and there should be procedure that all tests are double or even triple checked."
"Women will have little faith in the review now requested by the HSE. The Rebecca O'Malley case came to light in May, yet the results of the inquiry ordered in that case are not due until October."