‘Not fit’ doc struck off

Panel finds patient recall neurologist must be erased from medical register

NEUROLOGIST Dr Michael Watt has been struck off the medical register following a tribunal.

The Belfast-based clinician was at the centre of Northern Ireland’s largest recall of patients.

A medical tribunal last week found his fitness to practise was “currently impaired” and his professional performance was unacceptable.

Yesterday the tribunal ruled Watt should be erased from the medical register.

The panel also imposed an immediate order of suspension on his registration to cover the 28-day appeal period. The

Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service carried out the fitness to practise hearing.

Earlier in the hearings, a legal representative for Watt withdrew from the proceedings, expressing concern around his client’s mental health. The inquiry continued without him.

In 2018, more than 4,000 of the neurologist’s patients attended recall appointments amid concerns over his clinical practice.

A previous MPTS tribunal granted Watt voluntary removal from the medical register.

However, the High Court in Belfast quashed that ruling due to concerns it was “not sufficient to protect the public”. The three-person tribunal began its new hearing last month, when it was told a performance report into Watt in 2018 found he repeatedly failed to make correct diagnoses.

Watt had been a consultant neurologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital but ceased clinical practice in 2017. The tribunal previously heard his professional performance was found to be deficient, he was not fit to practise and should cease practice.

DEFICIENT Michael Watt