The Belfast Telegraph has recently reported that some patients involved in the Dr Watt recall  have received letters of apology.

The letters from the Chief Executive of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust apologise for the distress caused by the recall process.

One of the apology letters received from the Chief Executive reads “I am writing to you as Chief Executive of the Belfast Trust to sincerely apologise for the distress we may have caused, when, in April 2018…you were asked to return for a review appointment with a different Consultant Neurologist. I understand that your diagnosis, care and treatment have been reviewed and discussed with you… I also recognise that for some people the outcome of (further) tests may have resulted in deep distress and I am acutely aware of the impact of that news. For that, I am truly sorry.”

The letter further states that the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust continues to work with various other bodies to learn and act on findings from the recall and will continue to play its full part in all ongoing reviews and in planning for the future delivery of neurology services in Northern Ireland.

An Independent Inquiry was established by the Department of Health in 2018 with the publication of an outcomes report postponed on or about June 2019 due to “unforeseen circumstances”. To date, the Inquiry has not reported any findings.

HHD Solicitors are already instructed by Dr Watt patients to investigate and pursue medical negligence actions against the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.  If you are a patient of Dr Watt or a former patient of Dr Watt and believe you may have been affected, please contact our experienced medical negligence team at HHD, fionasterritt@hhdsolicitors.com or laurenjones@hhdsolicitors.com