A technical briefing will be provided to members of the media today on a summary report of how Eastern Health and other regional health authorities contacted patients concerning the re-testing of estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR) tests from 1997 through 2005. The Provincial Government, through the Secretary to Cabinet for the Management of Health Issues, undertook this review with the engagement of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI). This work commenced in June 2007 following concerns raised by some patients that they were not informed of re-testing of their original tissue samples at Mount Sinai hospital.

The briefing will take place at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday, April 14) in the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.

The Secretary to Cabinet for the Management of Health Issues, Robert Thompson, was appointed by the Provincial Government May 30, 2007. In this role, Mr. Thompson has led the ER/PR database project, which includes an examination of data related to contacts with patients regarding ER/PR re-testing.

The summary report on patient contacts was provided today to the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing.

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Media contact:

Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
glendapower@gov.nl.ca 

2008 04 14                                                    9:30 a.m.