Re-scans 'another example of health inequalities'

A politician has said 270 hospital patients being recalled for bone scans was another example of "health inequalities" in Jersey.

Patients were called for a repeat scan to test their bone density after an independent review found "potential concerns" with diagnosis and treatment recommendations for some patients.

The concerns around bone scans relate to the work of one practitioner, and came about after a previous damning review into the island's rheumatology service.

Deputy Louise Doublet, chair of the Health and Social Security Panel, said those accessing bone scans were primarily women and older people who were less likely to advocate for themselves.

The notes of 1,000 patients treated from January 2017 to January 2022 were reviewed and 270 of them were recalled for "re-scans", with 20 patients being sent "duty of candour" letters.

Doublet said: "If you look at the demographics of the people who are accessing these DEXA scans it is overwhelmingly women and older members of our community.

"So I'm concerned about the health inequalities in this area, because people in those categories are less likely to advocate for themselves if they feel something isn't right."

The review into bone scans was linked to a previous review into the island's rheumatology service, which found in some cases patients were misdiagnosed or given the wrong medicine.

In 2024, there was also a review into the island's radiology department, which found some women were given false negative results for breast cancer screenings.

Earlier this year, a review into the island's neurology department found staff were overstretched.

However, Doublet said these reviews were a good thing: "It is good we are hearing about these issues because knowing about them means we can tackle them."

Simon West, medical director for Health and Care Jersey, said of the bone scans review had been launched following concerns raised in the rheumatology review.

He said: "The concerns were raised as a consequence of the rheumatology review and patients who were asking questions as to whether there was a causal link between a scan that they had and a fracture."

West said: "So the deficiency is in the reporting of the scan, not the quality of the scan or the person who's conducted the scans, but the reporting of the scan.

"We feel that they don't necessarily meet what would be considered a normal service in terms of lifestyle advice or advice for treatment where necessary.

"This relates to one practitioner who was working in the rheumatology service."

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