Opinion

Analysis: Further recall for Dr Watt patients sparks further trauma and concerns three years after scandal broke

Danielle O'Neill, a former patient of Dr Michael Watt, was prescribed the wrong drugs for five years which she said left her feeling like a zombie. Picture Mal McCann
Danielle O'Neill, a former patient of Dr Michael Watt, was prescribed the wrong drugs for five years which she said left her feeling like a zombie. Picture Mal McCann Danielle O'Neill, a former patient of Dr Michael Watt, was prescribed the wrong drugs for five years which she said left her feeling like a zombie. Picture Mal McCann

YESTERDAY'S shock recall of a further 209 former patients of Dr Michael Watt has triggered anxiety for those already traumatised by a scandal which broke three years ago.

Many vulnerable people who were given an incorrect diagnosis, from epilepsy to MS, and prescribed the wrong medication - for years in some cases - have suffered serious mental health problems as a consequence.

Repeated and unreserved apologies were issued throughout yesterday by those at the top, with pledges of openness and transparency also made.

But for patients at the centre of this unprecedented crisis, questions about how this was allowed to happen still remain unanswered.

Women like Danielle O'Neill, who six years ago underwent an invasive and "excruciating" treatment known as an epidural blood patch under Dr Watt, have now learned this should never have been performed.

While Ms O'Neill was not included in group of 66 'blood patch' patients assessed in an internal Belfast trust review - with investigators finding that 45 were carried out unnecessarily - she said her life was "destroyed" by the procedure.

"I started to fall down stairs and my legs wouldn't work after one blood patch. It was carried out in the old A&E with just Dr Watt. I now know it should have been in theatre with other health professionals. Dr Watt then prescribed me more drugs. I totally empathise with the others affected," she said.

While the trust's medical director has detailed massive improvements and "learning" in light of the scandal - with consultants no longer working in isolation - for many patients this has come too late.

Their distress has been conpounded by the separate publication of a probe into an earlier group of patients recalled in November 2018, which concluded that one in five were given an 'insecure' or wrong diagnosis.

Calls for improved emotional support by charities must be heeded alongside ongoing transparency at all levels of the health service.

With a public inquiry ordered, it can only be hoped these patients get the truth they deserve.