27/10/2006

Radiation overdose report identifies 'critical error'

A report into how a cancer patient received 19 overdoses of radiation treatment found that a “critical error” had been made by hospital staff.

Sixteen-year-old Lisa Norris received the overdoses of treatment while being treated for a brain tumour at Glasgow's Beatson Oncology Centre in January.

Lisa was left with burns on her head and neck following the treatment, which gave her a dose of radiation which was 58% higher than that which had been prescribed.

The teenager died last week at her home in Ayrshire. The cause of her death is not known at this stage and a post-mortem is being carried out.

Following the publication of the report, the Scottish Executive announced that inspections of all five cancer centres in Scotland would be carried out.

Commenting on the report, Professor Sir John Arbuthnott, chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said that “significant changes” had already been made.

(KMcA)

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