Dozens of patients needed to have their medication or surgery date changed after an investigation into the quality and reporting of heart scans by hospital staff.

The review by West Herts NHS Hospitals Trust, which began in April, re-examined 3,420 cases following concerns about the quality of scans undertaken and interpreted by four members of the echocardiogram team.

It emerged this week that 108 patients needed to be re-scanned, and of these 74 had to have their care changed - but hospital chiefs say no "long term harm" was done.

Mariane Covington, spokesman for the trust, said: "3,312 patients have been written to as we wanted to be open and transparent with them about what had happened and to let them know that their scan had been reviewed. These patients have no need to be concerned.

"A further 108 patients have returned to the trust to be rescanned and/or to be reassessed by our doctors, as we had concerns about the quality of their scan and/or the way it had been interpreted.

"Of these, 74 had their care changed. This included amending their medication or bringing forward the date of routine surgery.

"However, it is important to note that there is no current evidence to suggest that any of the 74 patients have suffered long term harm."

As a result of the review, the trust, which looks after Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead, is increasing staffing within the department.

Other changes include enhancing check systems for the way scans are undertaken and interpreted and introducing a new assessment process to regularly check the competency of staff who undertake scans.

Dr Mike Van Der Watt, trust medical director, said: "It is important that patient’s scans are undertaken and reported to the highest standards.

"Our system identified concerns about the scans undertaken and reported by four members of the echocardiogram team and, as a result, we reviewed all of the scans they had conducted and interpreted.

"I would like to apologise to all of the patients affected by this review, particularly to those whose care or medication had to be amended. However, it’s important to note that there is no current evidence to suggest that any of these patients have suffered long term harm.

"We have made changes to help prevent this happening again, including enhancing the way we check that scans are being undertaken and interpreted to the standard we would expect.

"We have also introduced a new process to regularly check the competency of staff who undertake and interpret scans.

"I am confident that we have contacted everyone we need to in relation to this review. However, I would encourage anyone who is concerned to contact our information line 01923 217 100."

NHS England and Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group worked with West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust on the review, which was also supported by patient groups such as Hertfordshire Healthwatch and the trust’s Patients’ Panel.

The information line is 01923 217 100 and is open until Friday, January 16, from 9am to 8pm.

Have been been affected by this? Are you due to have a heart scan at a west Herts hospital? Email us via editor@watfordobserver.co.uk