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Royal Victoria Hospital to review immunology cases | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Fifty-nine patients with conditions affecting their immune systems have been offered a review appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital. | Fifty-nine patients with conditions affecting their immune systems have been offered a review appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital. |
It follows a report commissioned by the Belfast Trust after concerns about the management of some patients. | It follows a report commissioned by the Belfast Trust after concerns about the management of some patients. |
Those affected are patients with chronic skin conditions, extreme allergies or joint problems. | Those affected are patients with chronic skin conditions, extreme allergies or joint problems. |
The trust said it was "not in a position to say patients has received wrong drugs or wrong treatment". | |
It said its move was a precautionary measure to ensure they had the received appropriate treatment. | |
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust medical director Dr Tony Stevens said: "Can I be very clear that we are talking about very complex conditions. | |
"We are not in a position to say anybody is on a wrong drug or has had wrong treatment," he said. | |
"This is about trying to make sure that patients have their treatment optimised. | |
"I wouldn't want the public or indeed individual patients to think at this time that we have definitively decided that anybody is on the wrong treatment." | |
Anyone who needs to be contacted should have received a telephone call or letter by 17:00 BST on Wednesday (19 October) offering an appointment over the next two to three weeks. | |
Susceptible to infection | |
BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said the alert was raised in August "after a significant difference in medical opinion emerged surrounding the treatment of a number of patients". | BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said the alert was raised in August "after a significant difference in medical opinion emerged surrounding the treatment of a number of patients". |
People who attend the immunology clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast have either a weakened or over-worked immune system. | People who attend the immunology clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast have either a weakened or over-worked immune system. |
This means that they are more susceptible to infection. In some cases their immune system doesn't exist. | This means that they are more susceptible to infection. In some cases their immune system doesn't exist. |
Patients are normally given a course of steroids or strong medication to build up their anti-bodies which will protect them from disease and infection. | Patients are normally given a course of steroids or strong medication to build up their anti-bodies which will protect them from disease and infection. |
The BBC has been contacted by several patients who attend this clinic. | The BBC has been contacted by several patients who attend this clinic. |
They have told the BBC that in the past number of months their courses of treatment, including medication, have been changed. | They have told the BBC that in the past number of months their courses of treatment, including medication, have been changed. |
The vice-chairman of the health committee, Jim Wells, called the review a "very worrying incident". | The vice-chairman of the health committee, Jim Wells, called the review a "very worrying incident". |
"There must be swift action to reassure the public that the matter is being appropriately addressed," he added. | "There must be swift action to reassure the public that the matter is being appropriately addressed," he added. |
"It is vital that those who are affected by this recall receive notification as soon as possible. The trust must act to ensure that no further stress is added to this situation." | "It is vital that those who are affected by this recall receive notification as soon as possible. The trust must act to ensure that no further stress is added to this situation." |
The trust has established an advice line on 028 90636330 for anyone who may feel concerned or anxious. | The trust has established an advice line on 028 90636330 for anyone who may feel concerned or anxious. |
It will be open from 08:00 until 18:00 BST until Friday (21 October). |