EXCLUSIVE: First compensation case in neurology recall settled
Out-of-court settlement reached for former patient of Dr Watt
Downtown Cool FM can exclusively reveal the first compensation case involving a former patient of neurologist Dr Michael Watt has been settled.
Almost 3000 patients were reviewed, amid fears of misdiagnosis in the first phase of Northern Ireland's biggest ever patient recall.
Last year we exclusively revealed at least 600 of them may have been affected.
An outcomes report published shortly after by the Department of Health confirmed that.
It stated one fifth, around 617, of the total number recalled had received an 'insecure diagnosis.'
There was also uncertainty over a further 329 patients' diagnoses.
Belfast Medical Negligence Solicitor Kevin Hegarty told us an out-of-court settlement has been reached for one of Dr Watt's former private patients:
"The first case has been settled for £15,000 but most cases are still at a relatively early stage.
"The case that has settled was a patient that had received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and after three years that diagnosis was then fully revised.
"The case settled without any admission of liability and without the need for legal proceedings."
The Department of Health has commissioned an independent inquiry to review the recall of neurology patients by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The Inquiry Panel has gathered around 100 times, met with 170 witnesses and has around 62,500 pages of evidence.
But it is not yet clear when or if its final report will be complete and if it will be published.
Mr Hegarty told us a number of his clients are calling for a public inquiry instead:
"We would support calls for a full public inquiry and now that the assembly's been restored it will be interesting to see whether the Minister for Health Mr Swann will respond.
"There is an ongoing independent inquiry which does have some limitations.
"The hearings aren't held in public, the report when it's produced will be produced to the Department of Health and it's at their discretion whether it's fully published."
Mr Hegarty told us the impact on some of his clients has been severe:
"We've obtained independent expert evidence which has been critical of the medication regimes prescribed by Dr Watt.
"For example patients taking excessive amounts of anti-epileptic drugs over a long period of time without any apparent clinical need.
"...clients say... a lot of the anti-epileptic drugs in particular have had psychological affects as well which have had affected relationships with family members."
Downtown Cool FM contacted the Department of Health for comment.