Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said she is concerned the further recall of over one thousand patients as part of a review of neurology services raises more questions than it answers.
The 1,004 patients seen by Dr Michael Watt will be contacted. It follows 2,500 patients being reviewed earlier this year. The new group is made up of patients seen by Dr Watt and discharged to the care of their GP.
“The Chief Medical Officer himself has accepted this whole episode has led to a significant decline in public confidence about the entire health service, particularly with regard to neurology,” said Ms Bradshaw.
“The issues go well beyond a single doctor, and we cannot lose sight of that. Today alone we have seen discussions around the serious lack of specialists, limitations of capacity in primary care, and overall failings in workforce planning.
“In some ways it is good patients who may have had concerns will now be seen swiftly. However, significant concerns will remain and we are at a stage where there are more questions than answers concerning exactly why issues were not flagged up sooner.”