October 26 2020: Irish News reveals a major patient recall has been ordered at Southern trust following concerns about a retired consultant urologist's work. A helpline is set up.
November 24 2020: Health minister Robin Swann orders public inquiry due to "serious concerns" about clinical practice of consultant urologist Mr Aidan O'Brien, who was based at Craigavon Area Hospital for 28 years. More than 1,000 patients records were reviewed relating to the period January 2019 to June 2020. Nine cases meet the threshold for 'Serious Adverse Incident' (SAI) reviews. Mr Swann confirms issues around treatment delays for surgery patients.
December 16 2020: Mr O'Brien is temporarily suspended from practising medicine in the UK
December 21 2020: An online campaign is launched by patients in support of Mr O'Brien. Several former patients writing on the online platform refer to the "excellent" and "outstanding" medical care they received. They also say he raised several grievances with the Southern trust prior to his departure
February 13 2021: At a Stormont health committee, Robin Swann pledges the public inquiry will also address concerns about Mr O'Brien's treatment by the Southern trust. DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley claims the consultant was treated "abysmally".
March 9 2021: Christine Smith QC is appointed to chair the urology public inquiry.
June 7 2021: A confidential document leaked to The Irish News reveals concerns about Mr O'Brien go back "possibly decades". The probe also slates oversight and monitoring processes within the Southern health trust, which led to patient safety concerns not being escalated. Recommendations are made to introduce a "robust system" where openness about patient safety concerns take precedence over "influence and seniority"
- Public Inquiry terms of reference and inquiry team currently being finalised, Department of Health says
