Northern Ireland

Dr Michael Watt: 18 more families of patients who died under care of neurologist come forward

After 4,000 neurology patients treated by Dr Watt were recalled in 2018, the Neurology Deceased Patients Review (DPR) started to examine the cases of those who died under his care

Dr Michael Watt previously worked as a consultant neurologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast
Dr Michael Watt previously worked as a consultant neurologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast
By Allan Preston

The cases of a further 18 patients who died under the care of the neurologist Dr Michael Watt are to be reviewed, the health minister has said.

In an update to the Stormont Assembly, Mike Nesbitt set out the next stages in the Neurology Deceased Patients Review (DPR).

Acknowledging the “exceptionally difficult circumstances” experienced by families, he said: “I wish to apologise for the hurt caused to the neurology recall patients and the families affected by these matters, and I would like to reiterate my thanks and appreciation to them for their cooperation and patience”.

In 2018, 4,000 of Dr Watt’s patients attended recall appointments over concerns about his clinical practice.

Last year, the former consultant neurologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital was struck off the medical register after it was found his professional performance was “unacceptable”.

Summarising the “challenging and extensive” work of the DPR review so far, Mr Nesbitt said the department had directed the health watchdog RQIA to commission an expert review of the clinical case notes of the patients who had died in the 10 years before the 2018 recall.

A preparatory phase concluded in November 2020, with phase two starting in April 2021 by commissioning an expert panel from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).

The records of 44 patients were reviewed as well as the testimony of families where available.

A report in November 2022 found “significant failures” in the care and treatment of patients, with concerns over clinical decision-making, diagnostic approach as well as communications with other medics and patients.

Pacemaker Press 28/11/23 Picture of DrMichael Watt. 03/07/2024 The health minister has announced that a further review of clinical records of 18 patients who died under the care of neurologist Michael Watt is to be carried out. Mr Watt was at the centre of Northern Ireland's largest patient recall in 2018. In 2022 a review of 44 patients' records found significant failures in their care and treatment under Mr Watt and poor communication with the families. In a written statement to the assembly, Mike Nesbitt acknowledged "the exceptionally difficult circumstances which the families of deceased patients have experienced". It is anticipated that this phase of the Neurology Deceased Patients Review (DPR) will be completed before the end of March 2025.
Pacemaker Press 28/11/23 Picture of DrMichael Watt. 03/07/2024 The health minister has announced that a further review of clinical records of 18 patients who died under the care of neurologist Michael Watt is to be carried out. Mr Watt was at the centre of Northern Ireland's largest patient recall in 2018. In 2022 a review of 44 patients' records found significant failures in their care and treatment under Mr Watt and poor communication with the families. In a written statement to the assembly, Mike Nesbitt acknowledged "the exceptionally difficult circumstances which the families of deceased patients have experienced". It is anticipated that this phase of the Neurology Deceased Patients Review (DPR) will be completed before the end of March 2025.

Mr Nesbitt offered to meet with the families covered by phase two, and said that the RQIA is continuing to support them and progress commitments to improve the healthcare system.

For phase three, Mr Nesbitt said a further 18 families have approached the RQIA to confirm they wish to proceed with an expert review in relation to a deceased family member.

Expected to conclude by spring next year, the primary purpose of phase three is to provide answers, where possible, to families about the quality of care and treatment provided to their loved ones.

A six-month period has also been made available for any other families to come forward to the RQIA, with a cut off date of December 31 2024.

Following this, the Department of Health will clarify the next stages of the review.

The RQIA can be contacted on the Freephone number 0800 052 0012 between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, to speak to a member of the Family Liaison Team.

The team can also be reached by email at expert.review@rqia.org.uk; or by filling in a form on the RQIA website.