Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_09_06/GA_0609_E1_001.pdf 

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UHG lab at centre of breastcheck controversy not fully accredited
BY MARY O'CONNOR The Galway pathology laboratory - which hit the headlines last month over erroneously giving a 51year-old Tipperary woman with breast cancer the all-clear on two occasions - was at the centre of further controversy this week when it was revealed it was not fully accredited. A report in the Irish Independent stated that the laboratory at University Hospital Galway which analyses cervical smear and cancer tests was one of a number throughout the country which do not meet international standards. While parts of the laboratory at the west's biggest hospital have gained accreditation, the facility as a whole has yet to reach the overall standard required for full accreditation, according to the report. In a statement the Health Service Executive West outlined that some components of the laboratory service at the hospital are accredited. "Specifically the Food and Water Microbiology Laboratory (INAB Accredited) and the National Salmonella Reference Laboratory (CPA Accredited). In addition the Blood Transfusion Laboratory has recently had its quality management system inspected by the Irish Medicines Board." It explained that the laboratory as a whole has been working to fully implement a quality management system (QMS) that will comply with the International Standards Organisation's requirements. "All departments have participated in regular external quality assessment programmes (UK National Quality Assessment Scheme) for many years and have performed consistently well in this programme. Each department now has a designated quality manager. As the departments that are not yet accredited complete the implementation of their QMS they will apply for external accreditation of their systems to the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB)." Refering to its cytology laboratory, it says it was funded by the Irish Cervical Screening programme and meets best internationally accepted standards. "It is currently located in a prefabricated building which is of no relevance in terms of its functionality. The hospital is at present finalising a brief for the development of a new laboratory for submission to the HSE Capital Projects Steering Group. The national required turnaround time is four weeks for a cervical smear from the time it is received in the laboratory to when the report on the smear is issued. Since the end of June 2007 smears at University Hospital Galway are read and reported on within this four week timeframe." Meanwhile a hospital consultant at the centre of a probe into the breast cancer errors at University Hospital Galway resigned from his position at Cork University Hospital, it was revealed this week.
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Twins Leah and Lauren Kyne of Rahoon with their parents Elaine and Emmett on their first day at school in Scoil Fhursa last Monday. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy

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Galway theatre company scoops American award
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Galway theatre collective Dragonfly was on a high recently when its play about the Old Claddagh received rave reviews in New York and scooped a major actor' award. Dragonfly performed Married To The Sea at the recent New York International Fringe Festival - the largest multi-arts festival in North America with more than 200 theatre companies from around the world performing in some 25 Manhattan venues over a two week period. Married To The Sea is set in the Old Claddagh and tells the story of Jo, an eight year old girl with a special gift. It received rave reviews, with The Irish Voice calling it "one of the most genuinely lyrical and evocative new plays to be unveiled by an Irish theatre company in years". There was further success for Dragonfly when the company received the coveted Outstanding Actor's Award, which was presented to Siobhan Donnellan who played the role of Jo. Dragonfly was founded by Fiachra O'Dubhghaill, Shona McCarthy, and Siobhan Donnellan, who met while on the MA degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at NUI Galway. Dragonfly wishes to acknowledge NUIG's Alumni Association and the Irish Consulate New York, for their support.

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