Northern Ireland

Dr Michael Watt probe converted to a public inquiry

The Independent Neurological Inquiry into the activities of neurologist Dr Michael Watt has been converted to a public inquiry
The Independent Neurological Inquiry into the activities of neurologist Dr Michael Watt has been converted to a public inquiry The Independent Neurological Inquiry into the activities of neurologist Dr Michael Watt has been converted to a public inquiry

THE inquiry centering on potential misdiagnoses by neurologist Dr Michael Watt has been "converted to a public inquiry", Health Minister Robin Swann has said.

The Independent Neurological Inquiry (INI) had been established in 2018. However the minister informed the assembly of the change yesterday, saying that the inquiry's terms of reference have "not substantively changed".

Dr Watt was at the centre of Northern Ireland's biggest ever patient recall, involving approximately 3,000 patients linked to his work at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.

Mr Swann said Brett Lockhart QC will remain as the chair of the inquiry, supported by Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor as an inquiry panel member.

"The Independent Neurology Inquiry has been converted to a statutory Public Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005," the health minister told MLAs.

"This important change will help the inquiry panel team complete its work with timely and unfettered access to all relevant information."

In September, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust confirmed that Dr Michael Watt was no longer its employee.

A year earlier, The Irish News revealed that the medic made an application to retire on medical grounds.

He was suspended from practising as a doctor in the UK in January last year by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) after his case was referred by the General Medical Council.

Dr Watt was based at the Royal Victoria Hospital for 20 years. He also saw thousands of private patients at the Ulster Independent Clinic and Hillborough Clinic.