The Southern Trust has issued a “final appeal” for private patients treated by retired consultant urologist, Aidan O’Brien, to come forward.
The Trust has been undertaking a Lookback Review of urology care provided by the now retired consultant urologist.
It was in November 2020 that a public inquiry was launched over concerns about the work carried out by the urology consultant at Craigavon Area Hospital.
Health officials found that 352 individuals required a change to their treatment,
Initially the Lookback Review focused on urology patients in the period between January 2019 and June 2020.
In August 2023 the Trust announced that the Urology Lookback Review was being extended to all patients, between January 2010 and December 2018, who were treated by Mr O’Brien for a urology cancer (which includes prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancers) and treated for renal stone disease, who are alive today and have not had their care reviewed as part of the first Lookback Review group, or seen by another Southern Trust Urology Consultant.
The Trust encouraged any private patient wishing to be included in the Urology Lookback Review to make contact with the Trust.
A Southern Trust spokesperson said: “We are now making a final appeal for any private patients of Mr O’ Brien, who may be concerned about any aspect of their urology care and treatment, and who would like to be included in the Lookback Review, to come forward.
“As the Trust has no access to Mr O’Brien’s private patient records, we would encourage any private patient wishing to be included in the review to make contact with the Trust via email urologylookback@southerntrust.hscni.net or the Freephone Helpline 0800 414 8520 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm)
The Trust has a “Urology Support Portal” on our website for anyone wishing further information. This can be accessed on https://Southerntrust.hscni.net/news/urologylookbackreview
Responding to the report at the time, Mr O’Brien, said: “This Lookback Review was initiated in June 2020 on foot of an incorrect allegation made by the Trust that patients had not been placed on a waiting list for readmission for ureteric stent removal or replacement.
“Changes to management plans, such as those exemplified in the report, are commonly recommended or required when patients are reviewed or when their elective admissions for procedures are considered, for several reasons including changes in their circumstances, changes in their general health or in the condition being managed. Such changes have been all the more commonly required when patients have waited years for review and years for elective admission due to the inadequacy of the urology service provided by Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
“The Lookback Review has been conducted by the Trust itself, and I was not consulted or invited to provide any input. I therefore believe that the report contains questionable inferences and conclusions which should be regarded with caution. I remain fully engaged with the ongoing independent public inquiry, which is looking more broadly at urology services which have been provided by the Trust.”
