The Department of Health welcomes the publication by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust of the first outcomes report of the Urology Lookback Review.
The Urology Lookback Review was initiated by the Southern Trust following concerns about the clinical practice of the now retired consultant urologist, Mr Aidan O’Brien.
The outcomes report shows 2,112 patients have had their records examined, 527 of which were identified as requiring an appointment with a Southern Trust Urology Consultant. Following review, 352 of these patients required a change in their care and treatment. The remaining 175 patients did not have any change.
The Southern Trust has also today announced that the review will be extended to include patients who were treated by Mr O’Brien for a urology cancer, or treated for renal stone disease, who are alive today and have not already had their care reviewed. The Trust will contact these patients directly.
Any private patients of Mr O’ Brien who may be concerned about any aspect of their urology care and treatment and would like to be included in the review are asked to contact the Southern Trust. The Trust does not have access to private patient records.
The Department of Health wishes to again acknowledge the upset, distress and anxiety these matters have caused to the patients and families affected. The Department remains committed to improving patient safety by learning from the circumstances that led to this Lookback Review, and for this reason established the Independent Public Inquiry into Urology Services in the Southern HSC Trust.
The Inquiry is chaired by Christine Smith KC and will recommence hearing from witnesses in September 2023.
Notes to editors:
- The Activity and Outcomes Report for the first cohort of patients is available on the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s website.
- The former Health Minister Robin Swann announced in November 2020 that a Public Inquiry would take place in relation to serious concerns about the clinical practice of Mr Aidan O’Brien. The statement is available on the Department of Health website.
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