Serious Questions Remain Over Urology Review

Of the 2,112 urology patients who's records have been re-examined, 527 have been identified as requiring a case review with a Southern Trust Urology Consultant.

The figures are included in the first outcomes report of the Urology Lookback Review, published by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

Following review, 352 patients required a change in their care and treatment. The remaining 175 patients did not have any change.

The Southern Trust has also announced that the review will be extended to include patients who were treated by Mr O'Brien for a urology cancer, or treated for renal stone disease, who are alive today and have not already had their care reviewed. The Trust will contact these patients directly.

Any private patients of Mr O'Brien who may be concerned about any aspect of their urology care and treatment and would like to be included in the review are asked to contact the Southern Trust. The Trust does not have access to private patient records.

The Department of Health wishes to again acknowledge the upset, distress and anxiety these matters have caused to the patients and families affected. The Department remains committed to improving patient safety by learning from the circumstances that led to this Lookback Review, and for this reason established the Independent Public Inquiry into Urology Services in the Southern HSC Trust.

The Inquiry is chaired by Christine Smith KC and will recommence hearing from witnesses in September 2023.

Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomed the publication, but said that serious questions remain to be answered if public confidence is to be restored.

The South Belfast MLA said: "The scale of the failure which led to this recall remains profoundly shocking, and we should note that among the over 2000 people affected just by the first part of this recall, some have sadly not lived to see any sort of resolution. This is a tragedy for many people and families, which simply shouldn't have occurred.

"While it is welcome that an initial recall of patients seen during 2019 and 2020 has taken place, there remains considerable work to be done. It is important to emphasise that support is required not just to change treatment where appropriate, but to help people through this period of profound stress and uncertainty.

"While parallels will be drawn with the Independent Neurology Inquiry, it is essential that this fundamental failure of service to patients is investigated in its own right. We have to learn what can be done to put things right for those affected, where possible. We also have to be clear that this is not just about learning lessons for the future, but about building awareness about what could be happening right now within the system.

"This is why urgent action on reforming the system to prioritise patient safety is essential including, in our view, consideration of the establishment of an independent Patient Safety Commissioner similar to that proposed for Scotland."