Dr Michael Watt patient recall probe continues despite retirement

A consultant neurologist at the centre of Northern Ireland’s largest ever patient recall will continue to be investigated despite his retirement, the General Medical Council (GMC) has said.
The neurologist Dr Michael Watt, whose diagnoses have been the source of controversy. Undated pic taken from BBC website in late 2019The neurologist Dr Michael Watt, whose diagnoses have been the source of controversy. Undated pic taken from BBC website in late 2019
The neurologist Dr Michael Watt, whose diagnoses have been the source of controversy. Undated pic taken from BBC website in late 2019

Dr Michael Watt was suspended from clinical duties by the Belfast Trust after concerns were raised about patients being misdiagnosed with terminal and other serious illnesses.

The Trust has now revealed that Dr Watt is no longer employed but no further details have been revealed.

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Following news of his departure, the GMC said it had “sufficient evidence” to continue its investigation.

A GMC spokesperson said: “This has been a deeply distressing and vulnerable time for many patients and families. Our sympathy goes out to those affected, and we know how difficult it has been for those awaiting answers.

“We believe we have sufficient evidence to progress our primary case, relating to the doctor’s clinical skills, in order to protect future patients.”

The spokesperson added: “We always strive to complete investigations as quickly as possible, in the interests of all involved, but some cases are delayed for reasons beyond our control and some processes had to be put on pause during the lockdown”.

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Concerns about Dr Watt’s performance are understood to have been first raised in 2017 by a Comber-based GP who became concerned at the high number of his own patients receiving blood patch treatments – a painful procedure that involves injecting the patient’s own blood into their spine.

The following year, around 3,000 patients were recalled as part of an investigation into Dr Watt’s work at the RVH.

One of the patient’s affected was former nurse Jean Garland, who was wrongly informed that she was terminally ill with Motor Neurone Disease.

In November last year she told the News Letter how she spent thousands of pounds having her Dunmurry home adapted to ensure it was wheelchair accessible, with the space for hoists that would be needed once she became immobile.

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She described the experience as leaving her, for the first time in her life, suffering panic attacks and ultimately what she described as “a deep depression”.

Shortly after Dr Watt’s suspension was announced hundreds of his patients and former patients signed an online petition calling for his reinstatement.

“We are patients of Dr Watt’s and trust in him implicitly,” the petition organiser said.

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