Deaths of 20 rheumatology patients in Jersey referred to Coroner following concerns over two doctors
ITV Channel reporter Emma Volney reflects on the "scandal" and what happens next
There are concerns that the deaths of at least 20 rheumatology patients in Jersey were caused directly or indirectly by their care in the island's health service.
The cases have been referred to the island's Coroner for new inquests which will be carried out by the Viscount, relatives are being informed of the development by Health and Community Services (HCS) over the phone.
Family members will also have the opportunity to meet the Chief of Service, a Consultant Rheumatologist and a well-being expert with follow-up support offered where needed.
These cases are part of an ongoing clinical audit into 190 patients who were in Jersey's Rheumatology Service under the care of 'Dr Y' and 'Dr Z' and have died since January 2019.
Just over 120 have been reviewed so far while HCS Medical Director Patrick Armstrong believes "probably between 40 and 50" will be referred to the Viscount and has called the situation a "scandal".
He adds: "This is the most difficult and challenging situation I've had to face in my 33-year career as a doctor.
"I am the one that requested this review by The Royal College of Physicians, the first time issues were raised to me by a junior doctor I acted upon and this is where it's led to.
"We can only say sorry, this is a problem that's been going on for a very long time and came to light two and a half years ago."
'Dr Y' is still on the payroll but not currently practising in Jersey while 'Dr Z' left the island some time ago.
Mr Armstrong confirmed to ITV News that no one has been sacked.
He explains: "I don't think sacking people creates real change, I think that makes people fearful and we've done an awful lot of work trying to create a culture where people feel empowered and safe to speak up so sacking people isn't always the answer.
"Clearly, if an individual has a responsibility to face then they need to, those are individual processes with employees that we won't talk about in public."
A separate audit also highlighted "significant concerns" over the medication given by these doctors to patients between January 2019 and January 2022.
It found there was no appropriate evidence for 153 people to be given anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammation drugs - more than half of all the records reviewed.
In 38% of cases, these prescriptions were then stopped following face-to-face appointments.
Mr Armstrong says assessments by independent specialists have so far revealed that 33 living patients may have been harmed by their diagnosis, treatment and care under these two doctors.
They have been given an apology and compensation will be offered, he hopes later this year, either on a case-by-case basis or through a general scheme.
The Jersey law firm Viberts is working with more than 250 clients who say they have been affected.
It explains: "We fully understand the profound impact the mistakes have had on the lives of so many patients and their families and our team is steadfast in its efforts to ensure the serial wrongs that have taken place are fully redressed as a priority."
"I wish you listened to me, I told you I wasn't well on this medication and it's completely ruined my life": ITV Channel reporter Emma Volney puts the concerns of one of Jersey's failed rheumatology patients to Medical Director Patrick Armstrong
It follows a damning independent report published earlier this year which found that the standard of rheumatology care in Jersey was "well below what the review team would consider acceptable".
At the time, HCS admitted it is "inevitable" that some patients "will have been harmed clinically, emotionally or economically by their earlier diagnosis or treatment".
The investigation by the Royal College of Physicians had been triggered by concerns from locum doctors over record-keeping, case management and communication.
Mr Armstrong adds: "I would like to reassure patients of the Rheumatology Service that the recommendations made by the Royal College for improvements to the services are progressing well.
"Of the 26 recommendations made, 16 have been fully implemented and the remaining 10 are well on the way to being implemented."
He also explains that progress is being made to enrol Jersey into national audits and a new consultant rheumatologist on a specialist register is now leading the department.
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