A PROFESSIONAL misconduct hearing has opened into alleged care failings by a consultant employed by the Belfast trust to reassess patients caught up in Dr Michael Watt scandal.
Dr Hany El-Naggar is under investigation by the medical regulator due to concerns around his work in a Nottingham hospital five years ago, with claims he "inappropriately withheld" a drug treatment despite a patient's "deteriorating condition" and advice by other medics to administer it.
The consultant neurologist is facing a five-day hearing by Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). It is also listed for a further three days at the end of June.
During yesterday's remote session, Dr Abubakr Idris, a former medical colleague of Dr El-Naggar who worked with him in the Nottingham hospital, gave evidence.
The case centres on delays in the treatment of a 44-year-old woman ('Patient A') with suspected stroke symptoms.
Dr El-Naggar continues to review Belfast trust neurology recall patients, with trust chiefs saying they do not believe the allegations impact on his work - insisting "patient safety remains our highest priority".
The Irish News reported the development earlier this month, with one Dr Watt patient - who is also under Dr El-Naggar's care - saying it has "re-traumatised" her.
The MPTS panel are probing claims relating to July 23, 2016, when it is reported Dr El-Naggar "made a number of failures in relation to the interpretation of 'Patient A's' CT brain scan."
"It is also alleged that he inappropriately disagreed with the radiologist’s finding, overruled the opinion of the radiologist and arranged for it to be relayed to Patient A/Patient A’s family that 'thrombolysis is not recommended'.." according to the panel.
"It is further alleged that Dr El-Naggar failed to attempt to resolve his disagreement and failed to reconsider his opinion following a telephone call with a registrar on 24 July 2016, despite Patient A’s worsening presentation. It is alleged that Dr El-Naggar inappropriately withheld clinically indicated thrombolysis treatment on 23 July 2016 and 24 July 2016."
The medic, who specialises in epilepsy research and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, was one of several locum doctors employed by the trust in 2018 to examine former patients of neurologist Dr Michael Watt, following an unprecedented recall sparked by "safety concerns".
Almost 3,000 patients were reassessed due to fears they may have been misdiagnosed or given the wrong drug treatments, with a public inquiry now ordered into the crisis.
