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31/10/2018
Over 1,000 More Neurology Patients Recalled
The Department of Health has announced that an additional 1,044 neurology patients who were under the care of Consultant Neurologist Dr Michael Watt will have their treatment plans reviewed.
It follows an earlier recall of 2,500 people in the same situation.
An independent inquiry was launched following a year-long examination by the Royal College of Physicians of patient notes relating to the work of Dr Watt.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "We provided a commitment at the outset that we would carefully consider anyone who had previously been seen by Dr Watt and discharged, and then recall any key groups of people who, based on the advice of the consultant neurological team, required a review.
"Based on our learning from the initial recall of patients, individuals have now been identified by the specialised medicines they are being prescribed.
"We want to apologise for any distress and uncertainty that this process brings. It is clearly our responsibility to act on clinical advice and the emerging outcomes from the first phase of the recall."
Those in the second group of patients will have their medical conditions and prescriptions assessed, to ensure they are on the correct treatment.
The new appointments are being arranged based on advice from a team of neurologists at the Belfast Trust.
The further consultations are scheduled to be completed within a four month period.
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Consultant Neurologist Dr John Craig said: "We wish to reassure everyone who has received a letter that our primary focus is to provide assurance that they are on the correct treatment; and request that they should not stop, or make adjustments to, their medication until they have been reviewed by a consultant neurologist at their appointment.
"It is crucial that anyone who does not receive a letter understands that they have no action to take and do not need to get in touch. This latest review process is being concentrated on specific groups of patients taking specific, specialised medicines."
(JG/CM)
It follows an earlier recall of 2,500 people in the same situation.
An independent inquiry was launched following a year-long examination by the Royal College of Physicians of patient notes relating to the work of Dr Watt.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said: "We provided a commitment at the outset that we would carefully consider anyone who had previously been seen by Dr Watt and discharged, and then recall any key groups of people who, based on the advice of the consultant neurological team, required a review.
"Based on our learning from the initial recall of patients, individuals have now been identified by the specialised medicines they are being prescribed.
"We want to apologise for any distress and uncertainty that this process brings. It is clearly our responsibility to act on clinical advice and the emerging outcomes from the first phase of the recall."
Those in the second group of patients will have their medical conditions and prescriptions assessed, to ensure they are on the correct treatment.
The new appointments are being arranged based on advice from a team of neurologists at the Belfast Trust.
The further consultations are scheduled to be completed within a four month period.
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Consultant Neurologist Dr John Craig said: "We wish to reassure everyone who has received a letter that our primary focus is to provide assurance that they are on the correct treatment; and request that they should not stop, or make adjustments to, their medication until they have been reviewed by a consultant neurologist at their appointment.
"It is crucial that anyone who does not receive a letter understands that they have no action to take and do not need to get in touch. This latest review process is being concentrated on specific groups of patients taking specific, specialised medicines."
(JG/CM)
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