EXCLUSIVE: Neurology recall ... more than 600 patients may be affected
WATCH: "It's important to listen to our stories..." support group
Last updated 13th Nov 2019
It is understood at least 600 neurology patients caught up in the Belfast Health Trust's biggest ever recall may have been affected.
Downtown Cool FM can exclusively reveal the figures as patients held a rally on Tuesday.
Over three thousand people in the care of consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt were recalled in 2018, amid fears of misdiagnosis.
An outcomes report was due to be made public in June this year but was delayed.
Sources say there could be an impact on some 600 plus.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Belfast Trust said:
"Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances of a sensitive nature, the publication of the report on the outcomes for the recalled patients had to be delayed; this decision will be kept under review at the Department of Health and we cannot provide any further comment at this stage."
On Tuesday a group of patients staged a protest at the Department of Health calling on officials to meet with them and reconsider publishing the outcomes report.
Lyndsay Eccleston runs a support group and said the emotional impact of being recalled has been significant:
"Patients' mental health has been affected, patients are under extreme stress and extreme worry, it's very important that it is published," she said.
And she had this message for health chiefs:
"Meet with us, sit down with us patients and meet with us, we don't bite.
"It's important to listen to our stories and so many people have been affected."
MLA Nichola Mallon accompanied neurology patients to hand in a letter to the Department of Health on Tuesday.
The SDLP Deputy Leader said many of them 'have been left in the dark.'
"Neurology patients first received recall letters 18 months ago.
"They were told the Outcomes Report from the first recall of patients would be published.
"Its publication was pulled at the eleventh hour.
"No one, especially patients who have gone through such a traumatic time, should be treated like this.
"They should not have to make their way to Stormont to hand deliver a letter to the Permanent Secretary to try to get their voices heard.
"I would urge Mr Pengelly to meet with patients. They deserve at minimum this courtesy and respect."