Northern Ireland

'Slap in the face': former Dr Watt patient hits out over consultant not appearing before public inquiry into his work

Consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt will not give evidence to a public inquiry
Consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt will not give evidence to a public inquiry Consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt will not give evidence to a public inquiry

A FORMER patient of Dr Michael Watt has spoken of her devastation after learning the consultant will not give evidence to a public inquiry into concerns about his work.

Belfast woman Danielle O'Neill (38), whose life "fell apart" after being misdiagnosed and prescribed the wrong drug treatments for five years, said that she wanted to hear directly from the retired neurologist about his actions and get "accountability".

"This is another slap in the face for patients who are constantly re-traumatised by each development in this case," she said.

"We are all absolutely devastated and feel he is walking away. Patients are at the heart of this and it feels we don't matter. It is gut wrenching."

The inquiry team, led by Brett Lockhart QC, today confirmed they summoned Dr Watt in March to give evidence but that he was medically unfit to do so.

In a statement, they stressed the lengths they went to in order to bring him before the inquiry panel and how they even sought a second expert opinion about his fitness to appear.

The consultant was based at the Belfast trust for more than 20 years and is at the centre of the biggest patient recall in Northern Ireland due to "safety" concerns about his clinical practice. Dr Watt also had an extensive private list.

Multiple Sclerosis patients as well as people suffering from Parkinson's, stroke and Motor Neurone Disease were among those affected, with more than 3,000 patients recalled since May 2018.

In an update, Mr Lockhart said that since his team's work was elevated from an independent inquiry to a statutory public inquiry last year - giving him the legal powers to compel witnesses - it was always "envisaged" Dr Watt would be the last witness.

The chairman added: "The Inquiry Panel has carefully considered specialist reports provided to them addressing Dr Watt’s unfitness to give evidence. The Inquiry also obtained an independent specialist’s opinion who agreed that Dr Watt is not fit to give evidence.

"I believe that we have explored all reasonable options to facilitate Dr Watt’s involvement. We have, however, concluded that Dr Watt’s unfitness to give evidence does not significantly impact upon the Inquiry’s ability to address its Terms of Reference, which has a focus on governance.

"We understand that this may distress or disappoint some patients and their families given the recalls that have taken place.

"The fact that this Inquiry cannot hear from Dr Watt does not prevent us from answering the questions we were asked to consider. It is important to note that the Inquiry is not responsible for making decisions in relation to the clinical practice of Dr Watt, which is the responsibility of the General Medical Council."

The last scheduled oral hearing of the inquiry took place last month. To date, it has met on 153 occasions, received evidence on 212 occasions from witnesses and considered 137,000 pages of evidence.

Mr Lockhart said the inquiry remained willing to hear from patients or family members through a questionnaire available on the inquiry's website. The deadline for returning the questionnaires was August 26.

"We will allow anyone potentially criticised in the report the opportunity to respond to the issues raised before finalising the report and delivering it to the Minister of Health," he added.

In April, Health Minister Robin Swann issued an unreserved public apology after telling the Stormont Assembly that around a fifth of high risk patients seen by Dr Watt had received an "insecure diagnosis".