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Trust recalls 2,500 patients over treatment fears Trust recalls 2,500 patients over treatment fears
(about 2 hours later)
More than 2,500 neurology patients in Northern Ireland, including children, are being recalled for a case review.More than 2,500 neurology patients in Northern Ireland, including children, are being recalled for a case review.
The BBC can reveal that this follows a review of the work of neurology consultant Dr Michael Watt at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.The BBC can reveal that this follows a review of the work of neurology consultant Dr Michael Watt at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Neurology is the treatment of brain conditions including MS, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke and Motor Neurone Disease.Neurology is the treatment of brain conditions including MS, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke and Motor Neurone Disease.
It is feared some patients may have been misdiagnosed. The recall comes amid concerns some patients may have been misdiagnosed.
Following a case review, they could receive devastating news.Following a case review, they could receive devastating news.
While some of these conditions can be treated, nearly all are life-changing.While some of these conditions can be treated, nearly all are life-changing.
Both the trust and the Royal College of Physicians have carried out separate reviews of patients' notes.Both the trust and the Royal College of Physicians have carried out separate reviews of patients' notes.
Concerns were initially raised by a GP about a patient's diagnosis and treatment in December 2016.Concerns were initially raised by a GP about a patient's diagnosis and treatment in December 2016.
The Belfast Health Trust said it was a "serious" situation and apologised to patients and their families.The Belfast Health Trust said it was a "serious" situation and apologised to patients and their families.
Nichola Mallon, SDLP, told the BBC that she raised the issue on behalf of several constituents last year.Nichola Mallon, SDLP, told the BBC that she raised the issue on behalf of several constituents last year.
"It is as if we have been beating our heads off a brick wall, trying to get information about what is going on and trying to get answers including diagnosis," she said."It is as if we have been beating our heads off a brick wall, trying to get information about what is going on and trying to get answers including diagnosis," she said.
"Some of my constituents have been in Dr Watt's care for years. But they can't get a proper diagnosis. So they are living in pain their quality of life is deteriorating, they don't know whether they are on the right medication, some cannot work.""Some of my constituents have been in Dr Watt's care for years. But they can't get a proper diagnosis. So they are living in pain their quality of life is deteriorating, they don't know whether they are on the right medication, some cannot work."
Biggest patient recall ever Analysis: Biggest patient recall ever
Among the 2,500 under review are children, some of whom may have been struggling with a wrong diagnosis.Among the 2,500 under review are children, some of whom may have been struggling with a wrong diagnosis.
A consultant who once worked alongside Dr Michael Watt said all of his colleagues were shocked.A consultant who once worked alongside Dr Michael Watt said all of his colleagues were shocked.
He said it was a "daunting" time for everyone, but patient safety must come first.He said it was a "daunting" time for everyone, but patient safety must come first.
For more analysis, read here. Read more analysis from Marie-Louise here.
Dr Mark Mitchelson is responsible for neurosciences at the Belfast Health Trust.Dr Mark Mitchelson is responsible for neurosciences at the Belfast Health Trust.
Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said: "While we hope this will affect a very small number of patients - the change in diagnosis could potentially be very significant.Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said: "While we hope this will affect a very small number of patients - the change in diagnosis could potentially be very significant.
"We understand that this must be incredibly anxious for them and, for that, we are deeply sorry for any distress that has been caused."We understand that this must be incredibly anxious for them and, for that, we are deeply sorry for any distress that has been caused.
"Equally, we feel it's absolutely vital that we are prudent and cautious when dealing with any patient safety issues and hence, that is why we are recalling these patients to be seen.""Equally, we feel it's absolutely vital that we are prudent and cautious when dealing with any patient safety issues and hence, that is why we are recalling these patients to be seen."
While there is particular concern over a small number of his patients, the trust has decided to recall everyone who is currently in Dr Watt's care.While there is particular concern over a small number of his patients, the trust has decided to recall everyone who is currently in Dr Watt's care.
The trust did not rule out the possibility, at a later stage, it could stretch to patients who died while in Dr Watt's care.The trust did not rule out the possibility, at a later stage, it could stretch to patients who died while in Dr Watt's care.
Dr Mitchelson said nine neurology consultants in the trust would be running 200 additional clinics starting from Saturday 5 May.Dr Mitchelson said nine neurology consultants in the trust would be running 200 additional clinics starting from Saturday 5 May.
They will see the 2,500 patients including teenagers as young as 14 years of age as quickly as possible.They will see the 2,500 patients including teenagers as young as 14 years of age as quickly as possible.
Some patients will be seen by doctors working in the independent sector.Some patients will be seen by doctors working in the independent sector.
"Certainly this is a significant number and, within the neurosciences division, we have never been involved with a recall of this scale," he said."Certainly this is a significant number and, within the neurosciences division, we have never been involved with a recall of this scale," he said.
"These are patients with a wide range of neurological conditions, some of which are debilitating, complex and significantly serious."These are patients with a wide range of neurological conditions, some of which are debilitating, complex and significantly serious.
"But standards did dip around one consultant and patient safety should always be paramount - hence the recall.""But standards did dip around one consultant and patient safety should always be paramount - hence the recall."
According to the Belfast Trust, Dr Watt has not seen any patient either in the public or private sector since June 2017. He remains an employee.According to the Belfast Trust, Dr Watt has not seen any patient either in the public or private sector since June 2017. He remains an employee.
'Left in limbo''Left in limbo'
One caller to BBC's Talkback programme called John said his daughter who has brain stem epilepsy was a patient of Dr Watt's.One caller to BBC's Talkback programme called John said his daughter who has brain stem epilepsy was a patient of Dr Watt's.
"We received a letter this morning (Tuesday) to go to the RVH on Sunday."We received a letter this morning (Tuesday) to go to the RVH on Sunday.
"She hasn't had an appointment with neurology for at least five years and now this has come like a bombshell - it's frightening."She hasn't had an appointment with neurology for at least five years and now this has come like a bombshell - it's frightening.
"We feel we are left in limbo," he said."We feel we are left in limbo," he said.
The trust said that it also wanted to reassure patients on already long waiting lists that they would not be affected by the recall.The trust said that it also wanted to reassure patients on already long waiting lists that they would not be affected by the recall.
Dr Mitchelson said the consultants were very much aware of NI's "unacceptable" waiting times and running 200 additional clinics would ensure these patients would not have to wait any longer.Dr Mitchelson said the consultants were very much aware of NI's "unacceptable" waiting times and running 200 additional clinics would ensure these patients would not have to wait any longer.
When asked by the BBC if the General Medical Council had been made aware of the review and Dr Watt, a spokesperson said that the trust had taken all "appropriate action including liaising with the GMC".When asked by the BBC if the General Medical Council had been made aware of the review and Dr Watt, a spokesperson said that the trust had taken all "appropriate action including liaising with the GMC".
"It remains unclear if Dr Watt has referred himself to the governing body or if the Belfast Health Trust has done so on his behalf," the spokesperson said."It remains unclear if Dr Watt has referred himself to the governing body or if the Belfast Health Trust has done so on his behalf," the spokesperson said.
Patients being recalled should receive a letter by post on Tuesday. It will include details about how to make an appointment.Patients being recalled should receive a letter by post on Tuesday. It will include details about how to make an appointment.
An advice line is now operating, telephone: 0800 980 1100.An advice line is now operating, telephone: 0800 980 1100.
Are you one of the patients being recalled for a case review? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you one of the patients being recalled for a case review? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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