Doctor struck off medical register to ‘protect the public’, tribunal rules

A consultant neurologist has been struck off the medical register after being at the centre of Northern Ireland’s biggest patient recall.

The tribunal ruled that removing Michael Watt from the register was the ‘only available option’ to protect the public.

Michael Watt worked as a neurologist at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. But in 2018, the General Medical Council (GMC) carried out an assessment after concerns were raised about his clinical practice.

At the time, around 3,000 patients were recalled to be re-examined – including children who may have been given the wrong diagnosis. A report also found that there was a persistent failure to take adequate histories from patients and carry out clinical examinations.

It also stated there was persistent and repeated failure to make correct diagnoses, resulting in patients receiving inappropriate management which included drugs with serious and toxic side effects.

Last week, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service said Mr. Watt’s fitness to practise was “impaired”. The tribunal found that Michael Watt’s performance was unacceptable low across several categories including the assessment of patients’ conditions, clinical management, relationships with patience and record-keeping.

The panel said the failures were “stark, serious, repeated and numerous.”

The Neurology Recall Patient Support Group, representing Michael Watt’s former patients, said they welcomed the result:

“We nevertheless feel that Michael Watt has not been held accountable for the harm he has inflicted on hundreds of us patients who continue to live with the ongoing consequences of his actions,” a statement said.

“We are also acutely mindful of the thousands of deceased patients and their families who have their own continuing heartache as only 1% of those cases have so far been reviewed.”

“Clearly the decision of this tribunal to remove Michael Watt from the medical register is indeed the correct decision and in so doing, this tribunal ensures that no further patients can be harmed by this man.”

Mr. Watt has not been practising as a doctor since 2017. However, he will now be permanently removed from the medical register.

Removal from the medical register takes place 28 days after a tribunal’s decision unless an appeal is made. In the meantime, Dr Watt’s registration has been immediately suspended.

Further reading

Medical misdiagnosis or delay – Oakwood Solicitors

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.