The Belfast Telegraph has recently reported that Dr Michael Watt, Consultant Neurologist with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, has been handed an interim suspension which temporarily prevents him from practising as a doctor in the UK.

On or about summer 2017 Dr Watt was restricted from his clinical duties with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and he was no longer seeing patients.

On 1^st May 2018 the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust announced they were recalling 2,500 NHS patients and just over 110 private patients after a Royal College of Physicians report raised concerns about Dr Watt.

Ten conditions were imposed on Dr Watt at his General Medical Council (GMC) registration at a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service Interim Orders Tribunal on 9^th May 2018.

Furthermore, in May 2018, the Department of Health announced the establishment of an independent inquiry. The inquiry, chaired by Brett Lockhart QC, is reviewing the recall of neurology patients by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

In October 2018 it was announced the recall of an additional 1,044 former patients of Dr Watt.

On 3^rd January 2019 a spokesperson for the GMC stated: “An Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT) at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service replaced the doctor’s interim conditions, with an interim suspension on 3rd January 2019”. This now temporarily prevents Dr Watt from practising as a doctor in the UK.

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