Michael Watt hearing: Lawyers withdraw over mental health concerns

Lawyers for a doctor at the centre of Northern Ireland's biggest patient recall have withdrawn from his new fitness to practise hearing.

Legal representatives for Michael Watt said they are "concerned about his serious mental health condition".

They told the Medical Practice Tribunal Service that the continuation of the hearing in public "presents a real risk to his mental health".

A new fitness to practise hearing began in September.

The legal team has also formally withdrawn an application to the tribunal for Michael Watt to remove himself from the medical register.

It followed a ruling by the High Court earlier this year to quash a decision where he previously was voluntary erased from the medical register.

The tribunal is inquiring into the allegation that, between 7 and 22 of October 2018, Michael Watt underwent a General Medical Council assessment of the standard of his professional performance.

It is alleged that that performance was unacceptable in the areas of maintaining professional performance, assessment, clinical management, record keeping and relationship with patients.

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Source: BBC News, 27 October 2023