KEETCH CALLS ON HEALTH SECRETARY TO HELP COUNTY HOSPITAL DEAL SWIFTLY WITH MISDIAGNOSED PATIENTS

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st Jul 2008

Paul Keetch, MP for Hereford, has formally requested the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, provide any additional resources needed by the Hereford County Hospital to deal with patients affected by the erroneous test results that were revealed earlier this year following the suspension of a consultant at the hospital.

Over 5,000 samples were re-examined and some patients have been recalled for updated diagnosis and treatment.

Paul Keetch has called for more resources to help the County Hospital cope with the patients who were misdiagnosed without further delay to ensure that they receive all appropriate treatments and care.

In his approach to the Health Secretary, the MP said, "This is a tragic episode which I am pleased has been uncovered but the NHS has a duty to help the affected patients as absolute priorities. I am therefore asking that any additional resources needed by the County Hospital be made available, or to enlist other hospitals to assist, in order to speed up any treatments, further tests and outstanding diagnoses to lessen the waiting time in view of the circumstances."