Serious concern over procedures carried out by former UHG and Merlin Park spinal consultant

Galway Bay fm newsroom – There are serious concerns over procedures carried out by a former spinal consultant at UHG and Merlin Park Hospital.
An external audit of spinal surgery on 198 patients was ordered, after issues emerged in 2014.
Of that total number, serious concerns were raised in relation to four cases.
An independent audit of the spinal surgery procedures carried out by a consultant surgeon at Galway University Hospitals between January 1st 2013 and November 14th 2014 was undertaken.
The HSE says this was carried out by two independent orthopaedic surgeons.
The health executive says the Medical Council has been informed of the findings, and the consultant surgeon concerned is no longer working in Galway University Hospitals.
UHG says it has engaged directly with all of the spinal surgery patients or their families whose cases were audited.
They have also been offered a variety of services, including independent clinical reviews.
In a statement to NewsBreak, management says the hospital will continue to engage directly with the patients and families concerned, and has also been in contact with patients’ GPs.
Galway University Hospitals is offering assurances to the public that there is no ongoing patient safety concern in relation to the spinal or other orthopaedic services at the hospital.
Service users who have any concerns about the matter can contact helpline number 1800 659 4589 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.