This week's announcement of a review of NI's X-ray departments isn't the first time concerns have led to such a probe.

As NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey confirmed the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) would be asked to review the reporting arrangements for radiological investigation, it has emerged that one of his (direct rule) predecessors also set up a review after similar failings were pinpointed.

Just five years ago - while the Stormont Executive was suspended - the then Health Minister Paul Goggins said action was being taken to increase the numbers of radiologists in the health service in Northern Ireland.

In May 2006 he said this followed the publication of a review of the Northern Ireland Breast Screening programme conducted by the RQIA.

Mr Goggins said a shortage of radiologists was a contributing factor when concerns were raised about the clinical judgement of a consultant radiologist working at Antrim Area Hospital.

In a near carbon copy of this month's problems, the NIO Minister said 44 women had to be recalled for reassessment of their breast screening results after X-rays were taken at Antrim Area Hospital.

Mr Goggins said: "On behalf of the health service I want to apologise unreservedly for the distress and anxiety which these women have suffered. I have been assured that these women have been offered all the necessary treatment and support they need.

"The RQIA review raises a number of concerns which must be addressed.

"In particular, it highlighted the need to increase the number of consultant radiologists working in breast screening," he said, at the time - noting the damning report from the RQIA review that made 20 recommendations.

Just five years on and the reporting arrangements for radiological investigation across Northern Ireland are back in focus.

The current Health Minister said: "Following the delays in reporting of X-rays at Altnagelvin, I have decided to commission the RQIA to review the handling and reporting of radiological requests in all Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.

"The public must have the confidence in our health and social care services. I want to reassure them that I will do all that I can to ensure that we have the systems in place to prevent something like this happening again," he said after it emerged four patients were given a late diagnosis of lung cancer after the X-ray problems at Altnagelvin Hospital were spotlighted in a Health & Social Care Board report.

At least one person died and another is terminally ill with lung cancer after staff shortages in the Western Trust led to a backlog of 18,500 X-rays.

He has already announced an investigation into the handling of concerns by the Belfast Trust over the work of a consultant dentist at the Royal Hospital.

This will look into the events that led to the recall of 117 dentistry patients: "I can confirm that I have appointed Brian Fee QC to chair this Inquiry and to start as quickly as possible with the aim of producing an interim report within six weeks of commencing and a final report by 31 May," Minister McGimpsey said today.

See: NI's radiology service to be 'strengthened'

(BMcC/GK)