A review is under way of the treatment of over 20 female patients by a consultant at a number of Irish private hospitals.

The cases are believed to involve patients who were treated over the past three to four years.

In some cases, the post-operative complications reported are believed to be serious. The look-back review is being conducted by an Irish consultant in the specialty involved, RTE News has reported.

The Irish Patients Association has been involved in pursuing the issue for a number of years with several agencies.

The consultant who carried out the treatment being reviewed has worked in Ireland and in Britain.

The Department of Health was notified of the matter last year.