Experienced QC appointed to chair urology public inquiry

An experienced barrister has been appointed by Health Minister Robin Swann to chair a public inquiry examining the work of a urology consultant at the Southern Trust.
By Mark Rainey
Published 8th Mar 2021, 20:26 BST
Christine Smith QC. Photo: Paul Faith/PA WireChristine Smith QC. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire
Christine Smith QC. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire

Mr Swann said the inquiry, led by Christine Smith QC, will “ensure that the full extent of the concerns is identified,” and for the patients and families affected to see “that all relevant issues are pursued in a transparent and independent way”.

The minister announced the decision to hold a public inquiry in November 2020 after the trust notified the Department of Health (DoH) about potential concerns centred on retired urology consultant Mr Aidan O’Brien who worked at Craigavon Area Hospital.

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The concerns related to elective and emergency activity; radiology, pathology and cytology results, as well as a number of other matters.

In November, the DoH said: “So far nine cases have been identified that meet the threshold for a Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) review and all nine patients and/or their families have been contacted by the Trust to inform them of the position in relation to their respective cases.”

Inquiry chair Ms Smith is senior counsel to the Independent Neurology Inquiry and was senior counsel for the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.

She also appeared for the Department of Finance in the RHI Inquiry.

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Mr Swann described Ms Smith as “a very experienced Queen’s Counsel,” and said: “I believe that her professional expertise and recent involvement with inquiries equips her to chair the Urology Inquiry.”

The minister also reiterated the unreserved apology to the affected patients and their families he issued in November last year, and added: “I wish to reassure them that I will endeavour to ensure that they obtain appropriate treatment and support and the care that they need.”

READ: This is the urology consultant at the centre of a health scandal

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Related topics:Robin Swann