A PUBLIC inquiry into "serious concerns" about a consultant urologist's work and a health trust's handling of the case will begin next week.
More than 1,000 former patients of Aidan O'Brien were recalled last year following an internal investigation by the Southern trust.
The surgeon was based in Craigavon Area Hospital and retired in June 2020. He also had an extensive private list.
Health Minister Robin Swann ordered the inquiry last November and yesterday outlined its terms of reference as well confirming the appointment of two medical experts to assist its chair, Christine Smith QC.
Ms Smith is the first woman to oversee a public inquiry in Northern Ireland and said that while its focus will be on governance and systems issues, she was "acutely conscious" of former patients of Mr O'Brien and their families who are "deeply interested in the inquiry's work".
"The inquiry will give those who wish to engage with it the opportunity to report their experiences. It will not be compulsory for any former patient or their families to engage and many may prefer not to do so," she said.
"The inquiry wishes to hear from all those who do want to have their voices heard and processes will be devised to allow that to happen. I recognise that this will be a distressing time for some, particularly patients and families that have been impacted, and I wish to assure anyone who engages with our work that we will treat everyone sensitively."
Ms Smith added that the clinical practice of Mr O'Brien is being investigated by the General Medical Council and her team "will not encroach" on its remit.
However, under the inquiry's terms of reference, patients affected and/or their immediate families will have "an opportunity to report their experiences".
The inquiry team will probe oversight and governance arrangements in the Southern trust, as well as the escalation of complaints to other bodies including the Department of Health.
Three months ago, The Irish News obtained a confidential report which revealed concerns about Mr O'Brien's work went back "possibly decades" - with some patients at risk of "dangerously late" cancer diagnoses.
The Southern trust probe was ordered after it came to light the consultant wasn't 'triaging' or assessing GP referral letters, which he said was "too time consuming".
Leaked by an NHS whistleblower, the document revealed he had "over 700" missing GP letters in his filing cabinet in 2016 - which were discovered to contain 30 'red flag' patients. Four were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 2020 report also exposed an organisation in which "seniority, reputation and influence" took precedence over "patient safety issues".
Concerns about "difficult colleagues" and "difficult issues" were not passed up the line.
Mr O'Brien released a statement at the time, expressing "concern" about the leaking of the document but said he wouldn't comment further "out of respect for patients and for the integrity of the inquiry." He confirmed he will participate in the inquiry.
Mr Swann said yesterday those affected remained in his thoughts.
"I would like to again acknowledge the upset, distress and anxiety these matters have caused," he said.
Dr Sonia Swart, a consultant haematologist, will be an expert member of the panel while Damian Hanbury, a consultant urologist, has been named as an assessor.
It will begin September 6.
Ms Smith said that while preparatory work has been ongoing there are "still things to be achieved before any public hearings of the inquiry can begin".
She added that every effort will be made to ensure investigations are carried out "quickly and thoroughly" so they can begin to hear from witnesses "as soon as possible".
