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19/08/2004
Inquiry begins into endoscope cleanliness scare
The Government has announced that an independent inquiry has commenced in order to assess just how effectively endoscopes are being cleaned in Northern Ireland's hospitals.
The inquiry follows a recent scare at Lagan Valley hospital in Lisburn when more than 400 patients were treated with an endoscope which had not been properly sterilised.
The review, under the chairmanship of Dame Deirdre Hine, will examine the effectiveness of arrangements in place at a regional and local level for the decontamination of endoscopes.
Giving details, a spokesperson for the Department said: "It is important that we learn lessons from the recent audit of endoscopes. The terms of reference agreed for the review will ensure a thorough examination of the complex issues and problems uncovered by the audit.
"The Department is committed to giving the review group full co-operation and the review’s findings and recommendations will be published and acted upon. The group aims to report to the Minister by the end of November 2004."
Endoscopes are used to detect problems in the throat and stomach, and have to be sterilised after each use.
(MB)
The inquiry follows a recent scare at Lagan Valley hospital in Lisburn when more than 400 patients were treated with an endoscope which had not been properly sterilised.
The review, under the chairmanship of Dame Deirdre Hine, will examine the effectiveness of arrangements in place at a regional and local level for the decontamination of endoscopes.
Giving details, a spokesperson for the Department said: "It is important that we learn lessons from the recent audit of endoscopes. The terms of reference agreed for the review will ensure a thorough examination of the complex issues and problems uncovered by the audit.
"The Department is committed to giving the review group full co-operation and the review’s findings and recommendations will be published and acted upon. The group aims to report to the Minister by the end of November 2004."
Endoscopes are used to detect problems in the throat and stomach, and have to be sterilised after each use.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
