Northern Ireland

Body that oversees health watchdogs mounts legal challenge over decision that allowed Dr Michael Watt to remove himself from medical register

Consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt is at the centre of Northern Ireland's biggest patient recall
Consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt is at the centre of Northern Ireland's biggest patient recall Consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt is at the centre of Northern Ireland's biggest patient recall

A LEGAL challenge has been mounted by a professional body over a decision that allowed Dr Michael Watt to remove himself from the medical register.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) - which oversees the work of healthcare watchdogs and reports to parliament - has confirmed it has referred the case to the High Court in Northern Ireland following concerns the move is "not sufficient to protect the public".

The development comes less than a week after a separate legal bid was made by a former patient of the consultant neurologist, Danielle O'Neill, in an attempt to overturn the decision by Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).

Dr Watt is at the centre of biggest patient recall in the north due to safety concerns about his clinical practice.

The retired Belfast medic, who was based at the Royal Victoria Hospital for more than 20 years, last month successfully applied to the MPTS for "voluntary erasure" from the register.

This meant that a full and public hearing into his work could not proceed, which led to an outcry among affected patients.

In a statement released yesterday, the PSA confirmed it had launched an appeal citing public interest concerns and "errors" in the tribunal panel's approach:

"The authority has referred the matter to the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland due to its concern that the decision was not sufficient to protect the public.

"The authority is concerned that the decision of the tribunal erred in failing to give sufficient weight to the public interest in this case being considered at a fitness to practise hearing and that there were procedural errors in the panel's approach.

"Accordingly, the authority is asking the court to quash the decision allowing voluntary erasure and replace it with an order refusing voluntary erasure."

Ms O'Neill, who is a member of the Neurology Recall Patient Support group, told The Irish News that patients welcome the fresh legal challenge.

"Our group wrote to the Professional Standards Authority three weeks ago about this issue," she said.

"The fact they have acted so quickly is a welcome development - we now feel there is a professional body who is on the side of the patients and supporting them. But patients shouldn't have to go to these lengths in order for accountability to be obtained."

Meanwhile, the General Medical Council also welcomed the legal action.

"We were extremely disappointed that the Medical Practitioners Tribunal allowed Michael Watt’s application for voluntary erasure," a spokesman said.

"As we do not have powers to appeal the tribunal’s decision, we are very pleased that the Professional Standards Authority have decided to appeal using their own powers.

"We hope this will give reassurance and clarity to Michael Watt’s patients and their families."