Two patients given inaccurate test results and who later died were correctly diagnosed by other means, hospital officials have said.
Two patients given inaccurate test results and who later died were correctly diagnosed by other means, hospital officials have said.
The two were among 12 Wrexham Maelor Hospital patients given wrong results. Three of the 12 were incorrectly told they were clear of cancer.
The two were among 12 Wrexham Maelor Hospital patients given wrong results. Three of the 12 were incorrectly told they were clear of cancer.
The hospital has said it was confident the treatment the two who died were given would not have been different.
The hospital has said it was confident the treatment the two who died were given would not have been different.
The cause of the two deaths has not been revealed.
The cause of the two deaths has not been revealed.
The deaths were discovered when the hospital started rescreening tests after the errors emerged in September.
The deaths were discovered when the hospital started rescreening tests after the errors emerged in September.
The North East Wales NHS Trust had announced on Wednesday that errors had been identified within a "limited number" of diagnostic test reports issued by the hospital's histopathology department.
The North East Wales NHS Trust had announced on Wednesday that errors had been identified within a "limited number" of diagnostic test reports issued by the hospital's histopathology department.
The errors related to tissue samples "reported on" by pathologist Roger Williams during April 2006 to September 2007.
The errors related to tissue samples "reported on" by pathologist Roger Williams during April 2006 to September 2007.
We have made a careful review of each of the two cases and it is clear that these other considerations led the clinical teams to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment was not delayed North East Wales NHS Trust
We have made a careful review of each of the two cases and it is clear that these other considerations led the clinical teams to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment was not delayed North East Wales NHS Trust
In a statement on Thursday, the trust said: "As a result of the 10% sampling exercise we have identified 12 patients whose test results were incorrectly reported.
In a statement on Thursday, the trust said: "As a result of the 10% sampling exercise we have identified 12 patients whose test results were incorrectly reported.
"On reviewing these cases we have identified that two of the patients have since died.
"On reviewing these cases we have identified that two of the patients have since died.
'Appropriate treatment'
'Appropriate treatment'
"In both cases the histology samples in question were part of a wider diagnostic process that included consideration of the clinical symptoms and examination, the results of scans and X-rays, visual examination using endoscopy and other procedures and blood sampling.
"In both cases the histology samples in question were part of a wider diagnostic process that included consideration of the clinical symptoms and examination, the results of scans and X-rays, visual examination using endoscopy and other procedures and blood sampling.
"We have made a careful review of each of the two cases and it is clear that these other considerations led the clinical teams to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment was not delayed."
"We have made a careful review of each of the two cases and it is clear that these other considerations led the clinical teams to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment was not delayed."
Earlier, trust chair Mary Burrows had said Dr Williams, a former medical director of the trust, was accredited for only some of the tests, and she had asked for accreditation schemes to be examined.
Earlier, trust chief executive Mary Burrows had said Dr Williams, a former medical director of the trust, was accredited for only some of the tests, and she had asked for accreditation schemes to be examined.
The hospital is examining some tests going back as far as 2004
The hospital is examining some tests going back as far as 2004
But the trust said later that Dr Williams was "fully qualified to do all aspects of his work at the hospital".
But the trust said later that Dr Williams was "fully qualified to do all aspects of his work at the hospital".
In a statement, the trust said: "Some confusion has arisen in the media over the term accreditation in the context of pathology services. Clinical pathology accreditation is a voluntary scheme that applies to systems and departments and not to individual clinicians".
In a statement, the trust said: "Some confusion has arisen in the media over the term accreditation in the context of pathology services. Clinical pathology accreditation is a voluntary scheme that applies to systems and departments and not to individual clinicians".
The tests involve a range of illnesses and not just cancer, the trust has said.
The tests involve a range of illnesses and not just cancer, the trust has said.
Wales' deputy chief medical officer Mike Harmer said the assembly government was reviewing pathologists' accreditation across Wales.
Wales' deputy chief medical officer Mike Harmer said the assembly government was reviewing pathologists' accreditation across Wales.
Weekend work
Weekend work
Two hundred patients have contacted a helpline launched on Wednesday. Of those cases, 72 are being reviewed.
Two hundred patients have contacted a helpline launched on Wednesday. Of those cases, 72 are being reviewed.
Ms Burrows said extra staff will work over the weekend reviewing the 4,500 cases involved.
Mrs Burrows said extra staff will work over the weekend reviewing the 4,500 cases involved.
The hospital is looking at test results between April 2006 and September 2007 and at another sample of tests going back as far as October 2004.
The hospital is looking at test results between April 2006 and September 2007 and at another sample of tests going back as far as October 2004.
If the sample error rate was above that recommended by the Royal College of Pathologists, Ms Burrows said they would also review all the tests from the earlier period, potentially of another 5,000 patients.
If the sample error rate was above that recommended by the Royal College of Pathologists, Mrs Burrows said they would also review all the tests from the earlier period, potentially of another 5,000 patients.
She urged anyone who is worried to contact the hospital's helpline on 01978 726155.
She urged anyone who is worried to contact the hospital's helpline on 01978 726155.
Dr Williams had been working as a locum at the hospital following his retirement from the post of trust medical director three years ago.
Dr Williams had been working as a locum at the hospital following his retirement from the post of trust medical director three years ago.
He was described as "very well respected" by officials. He stood down as locum shortly after the problems came to light last September.
He was described as "very well respected" by officials. He stood down as locum shortly after the problems came to light last September.
Dr Williams told the Daily Post newspaper he was "deeply sorry for what has happened and for any harm that may have been caused to patients".
Dr Williams told the Daily Post newspaper he was "deeply sorry for what has happened and for any harm that may have been caused to patients".
Are you one of the patients affected by this? Send us your comments using the form below:
Are you one of the patients affected by this? Send us your comments using the form below:
