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Clinicians are currently reviewing the deaths of 182 former rheumatology patients to find out whether they were in any way linked to the healthcare they received.
A report on the findings is due to be presented to the Health Advisory Board at its July meeting, according to Health Chief Officer Chris Bown.
Any deaths which suggest such a link will then be referred to the Viscount to consider whether inquests should be opened into them.
Pictured: Interim Chief Officer of Health, Chris Bown with the Royal College of Physicians' review of Jersey's rheumatology department.
It comes after an independent review of the island's rheumatology department "found the standard of care to be well below what the review team would consider acceptable for a contemporary rheumatological service".
Published at the start of 2024, the Royal College of Physicians' report revealed a "lack of governance, not just in rheumatology but across the healthcare organisation".
An update on the actions taken since the report was shared with the Health Advisory Board last week.
The board heard that the review into the deaths of former rheumatology patients is being conducted by three separate clinicians.
Their assessments will be considered by a clinical panel, which will then decide whether any should be reported to the Viscount for further consideration.
The review is the last of a series of audits looking at the case notes of former patients.
Mr Bown explained: "The special senior doctors review of all those patients will see whether there might be some causal link between their rheumatological care and their death.
"That review is ongoing. It won't be complete by July – it's a big task – but we'll be able to report where we are at.
"If there are concerns about [cases] then the process – as would be the case in the UK – is that cases are referred to the coroner or in our case the Viscount but also in Jersey the police which is part of the law."
Last month, the Home Affairs Minister confirmed that "no criminal investigation is underway at this stage" in relation to the rheumatology review.
However, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat added: "The States of Jersey Police routinely considers any referral which may be made to them, including whether any requisite legal thresholds/tests have been met."
Pictured: Rheumatology deals with arthritis and several other conditions that affect the joints, tendons, muscle, ligaments.
Meanwhile, a review of affected hospital in-patients has been completed and the details of those who have not been seen by another clinician since being treated by the doctors at the centre of the controversy – referred to as Dr Y and Dr Z – have been sent to their GP to consider whether a further hospital referral is required.
An assessment of possible medical harm, being undertaken by Specialist Rheumatology Consultants, is expected to be concluded soon.
Rheumatology patients who have been subject to "potential harm" have started receiving 'duty of candour' letters.
A duty of candour letter is provided to service users, their family, or carers after something has gone wrong with their care.
The first letters were be sent out last month and all affected patients will receive one by mid-July, according to the Health Department.
Although HCS did not confirm how many patients would receive one of the letters, law firm Viberts said it was dealing with more than 110 inquiries from rheumatology patients with a potential claim against the Health department earlier this year.
It has also been confirmed that the Law Officers' Department is considering a process for patients to resolve any concerns or complaints arising from the review of their diagnosis, care and treatment.
The Health Department will write to patients with more information when it has been resolved.
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