Recent reports in the Irish Times, Irish Independent and RTÉ News (August 26, 2025) have revealed deeply concerning issues at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, regarding the mis-categorisation of pre-cancerous cells in a number of patients. These revelations once again bring critical patient safety and open disclosure failures into sharp focus, echoing the systemic concerns that Whelan Law consistently advocates against.
The hospital has initiated an ongoing review after discovering that patients had pre-cancerous cells incorrectly graded between February and November 2024. This has raised serious concerns that these patients potentially faced delays in receiving appropriate treatment for conditions that could progress to cancer.
While Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has commenced the process of informing affected patients and offering open disclosure meetings, the scale of this mis-categorisation highlights a systemic failure in diagnostic accuracy and quality control.
At Whelan Law, we consistently witness the devastating impact of medical errors on our clients' lives. Delays in diagnosis, misread scans or incorrect categorisation can irrevocably alter futures. The Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 was enacted specifically to address such situations, mandating that healthcare providers disclose serious incidents.
Whelan Law is closely monitoring the situation in Drogheda. Our thoughts are with the patients and families affected by these revelations. We remain steadfast in our advocacy for healthcare systems that prioritise patient safety, consistent open disclosure and a culture of accountability across all our hospitals.