An investigation is being launched into the work of a hospital radiologist in Scotland after issues were raised in Glasgow, the Highlands and Ireland over his interpretation of X-rays.

Images examined by locum Dr James Murray are being double-checked amid fears he may have missed health problems and managers are facing calls to widen the review to include hundreds of scans.

It is six months since a question was first raised about his reading of an X-ray at Lorn and Islands District General Hospital in Oban. Dr Murray, who is believed to be 74, continued to work part-time at the hospital until mid-May.

He resigned from Lorn and Islands around two weeks ago when he was named as the consultant at the centre of a problem in the Republic of Ireland which has prompted thousands of chest X-rays to be re-examined.

This recall is said to follow revelations that four patients at hospitals in Drogheda and Navan died after being given the all-clear for lung cancer.

Dr Adrian Ward, a GP in Lochgilphead, Argyll, said he was anxious for steps to be taken in Scotland.

He said: "I have a high level of concern we have patients who have misread X-rays and there will be a delay in giving them a diagnosis. I am concerned there has not been a recall already.

"There should be a recall telephone number for patients with concerns and there should be a re-reporting of the X-rays."

Dr Ward, who is one of a team of GPs who reads X-rays as part of his work at Mid-Argyll Community Hospital in Lochgilphead, said he first filled in a critical incident report regarding concern over X-ray reports at Lorn and Islands in December. When he heard nothing further he raised the matter again three months on and, he said, did receive a response.

He has now flagged up more than 10 cases for re-examination but is calling for wider checks.

Dr Murray worked at Glasgow Royal Infirmary until the end of March 2006.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde revealed last night they had already reviewed all the cases dealt with by Dr Murray, who lives in East Lothian.

A spokeswoman for the board said: "Dr James Murray was employed for a period of approximately six months.

"It was reported at the time that there were some discrepancies in the style of reporting by Dr Murray, but not in the clinical interpretation of images. A review of his work was undertaken by a team of consultant radiologists. No serious discrepancies were found."

It is understood Dr Murray examined ultrasound scans as well as chest, limb and fracture X-rays during the six months he worked in Oban.

NHS Highland medical director Dr Ian Bashford said: "We have asked a senior clinician to make a thorough review of a small number of cases as the start of an investigation. The results of this review will be discussed by senior clinicians and managers of the board this week. We understand this may cause patients some concern and would want to reassure them we are taking action."

Margaret Murray, Dr Murray's wife, told The Herald once her husband was aware of what had happened in Ireland he went to Lorn and Islands Hospital and tendered his resignation, because he did not want to bring this trouble to their door.

The radiologist was employed in Ireland between August 2006 and August 2007. It was announced on May 15 a review of all the chest X-rays and CT scans reported on by one locum consultant radiologist were being reviewed. Letters were posted to 4500 patients.