HARLOW: Health trust criticised over breast cancer unit blunders

4:43pm Wednesday 26th September 2007

THE Harlow-based health trust responsible for the breast screening unit at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping, has been criticised by a General Medical Council panel which found a doctor whose mistakes led to women being wrongly cleared of breast cancer guilty of misconduct.

Consultant radiologist Kong Fa Lan Keng Lun, who was lead clinician in charge of the breast screening unit from March 2003 to November 2004, is now subject to a two-year supervision order and no longer allowed to work in a management capacity.

A total of 5,765 cases across west Essex dealt with at the clinic during that time had to be reviewed, and 18 women who had been given the all clear were later found to have cancer.

In its ruling the GMC told the doctor: "The nature of the allegations proven against you amount to a serious departure from the standards expected of a registered medical practitioner.

"The panel is in no doubt that your fitness to practise is impaired both by reason of your misconduct and deficient professional performance."

The problem only came to light when equipment used to take biopsies was seriously damaged after being wrongly set up.

Two radiographers who Dr Lan Keng Lun was supposed to be training were taught to override the machine's safety mechanism.

Frances Nathan, from Wanstead, who had to have a mastectomy after being cleared by the clinic, said the panel's verdict was "absolutely marvellous".

"I can't tell you how welcome it is. He doesn't know what a mastectomy was like and I'm here to tell the tale but no thanks to him.

"I had four biopsies in a row with no anaesthetic. I was in such a state and then to have the gall to say to me I will write to you in a week or so with your report and then two months later I'm still waiting for it.

"He said everything is okay. Like hell it was!"

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, which was in charge of the screening unit, was criticised by the panel.

Dr Lan Keng Lun worked as a consultant radiologist at the unit for six-and-a-half years from April 1998 to November 2004 and was lead clinician at the unit for 20 months until November 2004.

The panel said: "There is no doubt that Epping was unsupported, understaffed and under resourced by the trust."

In a statement, a trust spokesman said: "The unit has moved on. We have appointed two new consultants who work together at all times and changes have been made to the management team responsible for the unit.

"We have undertaken a full review of our policies and procedures to ensure that we provide the best possible quality of care to our patients."

Were you caught up in the blunders which beset the unit at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping?

Ring the newsroom on 01992 572285, text brief details to 07710 447868 (and we will ring you back), or email djackman@london.newsquest.co.uk

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