Media

Local and regional media support for retired Consultant Urologist, Aidan O’Brien.

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There has been an active online campaign in support of Aidan O’Brien, who was based at Craigavon Area Hospital for most of his career before retiring in June 2020.

Mr Swann told the Assembly’s health committee the inquiry has now reviewed 1,906 patient records and identified 287 patients and families, with “nine initial adverse incidents”.

The high-profile consultant, who also saw patients privately from his own clinic, was suspended from practising in the UK by the General Medical Council in December after the inquiry was announced weeks earlier.

DUP Upper Bann assembly member Jonathan Buckley has queried whether a “public inquiry costing massive amounts of public money” is needed given “the issues surrounding Mr O’Brien’s case focuses entirely on administrative issues rather than any clinical concerns or complaints”.

“I don’t believe we have been garnered with the full facts, including the point, and it’s a crucial point that there were significant prior grievances initiated by Mr O’Brien against the Trust which have not been dealt with,” he said.

“That was something that we as an Assembly had no prior sight of or even reference to in your (November) statement.

“When I talk to both medical professionals and patients I have not met one that can criticise Mr O’Brien’s work, in fact quite the opposite – they believe that Mr O’Brien has been treated abysmally by the Trust and it’s their actions that should actually be investigated, not a man who has given a lifetime of service.”

He asked Mr Swann to give “further consideration” to including this in the public inquiry’s terms of reference if he did not suspend the investigation.

Mr Buckley said this would ensure “we can gain a full picture of all that went on during Mr O’Brien’s time with the Trust”.

The minister said that would covered under the current framework.

“The point you make, Jonny, is one of the benefits of a public inquiry because all that will come out and another avenue of inquiry or investigation may not bring that out,” he said.

“It may prove one way or the other whether those concerns actually stand as well.

“I have initiated a public inquiry and I’m intending to continue along that road.”

A Southern Trust spokeswoman said: “This matter will be for the public inquiry. The Trust does not comment on current or former employees.”

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Senior doctors, GPs as well as nurses and patients have rallied to defend retired consultant urologist Mr Aidan O’Brien via an online campaign.

Mr O’Brien is to be the subject of a public inquiry ordered by Health Minister Robin Swann after the Southern Health Trust issued a recall of some of his patients.

Supporters of Mr O’Brien have claimed the review and inquiry came after the retired consultant submitted a number of ‘grievances’ against the Southern Health Trust.

Among those supporting Mr O’Brien is highly respected GP Fred McSorley. He wrote on the campaign website: “As a recently retired GP in the Southern Trust I had many opportunities to witness the way Mr O’Brien treated my patients. The message I was getting from them was of a polite, communicative doctor who was doing his best to care for them in a compassionate and honest manner. The fact that this feedback remained so consistent over three decades is indeed worthy of note.”

Another colleague, Noeleen Daly, who worked as a nurse with Mr O’Brien wrote: “I have known him to be a complete gentleman, hardworking, meticulous, professional and absolutely exemplary in his field. He is renowned for his dedication towards his patients and has shown nothing but high standards throughout his career, I wish him all the best and think that questioning his lifelong career as a consultant is beyond outrageous, I sincerely hope Aidan can see these comments and know how valued and respected he is, and eventually get the peace in his retirement he fully deserves.”

A former teacher of Mr O’Brien is one of hundreds who has voiced support for the retired doctor and has called for an inquiry into the grievances Mr O’Brien brought before the Trust.

The teacher described Mr O’Brien as a man with the ‘utmost integrity’ and has expressed concern that the Trust may be attempting to tarnish his reputation. He is also confused as to why the Health Minister was so quick to announce a public inquiry.

He said that Mr O’Brien was acting as a whistle blower and believes the Trust is pushing for a public inquiry to silence him.

“There has never been a patient complaint against him in all his years at the Trust.”

He believes doctors and nurses in Craigavon Hospital are afraid to speak out in case the Trust takes action against them also.

And he added said there has been enormous support for Mr O’Brien from other consultants, professors, teaching nurses and others who are all willing to give testimonials in front of a public inquiry.

“They will say Mr O’Brien is an absolute gentleman, who worked until 11 or 12 o’clock every night and there are no patient complaints against him.”

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Since his retirement, the Southern Trust has recalled his patient records and Health Minister Robin Swann ordered a public inquiry into ‘serious concerns’ around the clinical practice of Mr O’Brien.

However, the Portadown businessman, who prefers not to be named, has come out in support of the consultant, who he holds in ‘the highest regard’.

He said: “My wife was a patient under the care of Mr O’Brien for almost 20 years. She was simply referred to Mr O’Brien by her GP in 1999 and required immediate surgery.

“As Mr O’Brien cared for my wife we were always kept well informed of the various treatments available and prognosis.

“Over the 20 years, through good times and more difficult times, he remained the same polite, mannerly gentleman who made my wife feel at ease even when delivering bleak news.

“At all times he treated my wife with respect, dignity, compassion and always had her best interests at heart throughout her many treatments and operations,” said the prominent businessman.

“He always endeavoured to look for the next best treatment available for her. His bedside manner was exemplary.

“In the later months he continued to guide and support us when her illness was untreatable.

“We feel we are indebted to Mr O’Brien and believe that through his expertise he contributed to us having a further 18 years of treasured memories with my wife.”

The businessman is upset, concerned and confused at the launch of the public inquiry.

He firmly believes it is the Southern Health Trust which should be investigated and be the subject of a public inquiry.

He said: “Unfortunately for the Trust, it very much looks like a knee-jerk reaction.

“There seems to have been little consideration given to Mr O’Brien’s professionalism during a lengthy career and the stature he holds within his field by his peers and patients alike,” he said.

“I would have expected the Trust to have carried out a full internal investigation and hearing ensuring that they had gathered all the appropriate and accurate information prior to pursuing a public inquiry.

“No-one deserves to be named (and shamed) publicly unless all other avenues have initially been exhausted,” he said.

The Portadown widower said he was ‘shocked and astonished’ when he heard about the inquiry. “At no point did or have we ever doubted Mr O’Brien’s expertise, ability and good judgement.

“As a family we think of Mr O’Brien as a friend and will support him to the best of our ability to ensure his name is held in the highest regard and esteem.

“Providing our support is the least we can do to show our appreciation and gratitude for the 20 years of care that Mr O’Brien has given our family.”

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The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) imposed the temporary measure following an interim hearing.

But a new online campaign has been drumming up support for Dr O’Brien after he made media headlines in recent weeks.

Many colleagues, patients and members of the community have been posting lengthy messages of support for him.

Organisers say they have been overwhelmed by the level of response in such a short space of time.

One supporter, a former staff nurse at Craigavon Area Hospital, said: “My experience of Aidan O’Brien was one that I remember fondly and with respect.

“He would not just be my number one go to if I had choice for urological issues but my choice as a human who had tonnes of empathy for patients in very distressing situations and as a staff member his number one concern was for patients and their families and less for bureaucracy.

“If there were more Aidan O’Briens there would be more kindness more compassion and more joy in this world.”

Another lady whose husband was a patient of Dr O’Brien described him as “one of life’s true gentlemen” and recalled his “care, attention to detail and aftercare which went above and beyond the call of duty”.

She added: “Aidan is one of those people who come along once in a lifetime – a decent, upright and honest man who goes the extra mile and always willing to help. Our family is so hurt by the negativity that has come through the media – it would appear Mr O’Brien is a scapegoat for other people/Trust failings.

“Isn’t it time Mr O’Brien’s selfless actions for so many people were highlighted and acknowledged?’

A colleague of 20 years said she would recommend him to her own family if a urologist was required and described him as “a very caring professional and gentleman”.

A neighbour and friend of the urologist for over 30 years shared similar sentiments.

He said: “He’s genuine. Every thought, every utterance is honestly meant. When my own father was ill and passed away Aidan was a great source of knowledge, understanding and comfort, even though he wasn’t under Aidan’s care. He took time out of his busy schedule to make sure we understood what was going on. He is a kind person with a great sense of humour. He is and continues to be one of the most genuine people I know.”

More than 1,000 patients’ records were recalled following the start of the investigation.

If a referral is made for a full hearing it will usually be heard in public and full details will be published by the MPTS.

Last month, Health Minister Robin Swann ordered a statutory public inquiry into “serious concerns” about the clinical practice of Dr O’Brien.

Mr Swann “unreservedly” apologised to patients and their families for the “upset and distress caused” by the review.

The Southern Trust’s Chief Executive Shane Devlin said it was likely more patients would be contacted as reviews of patient notes continue to be carried out.

“I sincerely apologise for the distress and concern this news will cause,” he said.

But another of Dr O’Brien’s supporters, who had worked alongside him for over a decade, said he was “astounded” by the situation.

He said: “I have worked with doctors across all specialties, general surgery, gynae, medical and ENT.

“I have never met a more devoted man to his patients and their families. He has gone above and beyond for every single patient he has cared for.

“I am absolutely astounded that the Trust can be critical over any aspect of Mr O’Brien’s care that he has provided over the decades. It is impossible to believe that he would let any patient suffer or come to harm.

“I would believe that any shortcomings would not be from Mr O’Brien, more likely to be due to failings in the Southern Trust.”

More messages of support can be found on www.supportaidanobrien.com and people can also leave their own.

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The initiative was set up at the weekend and comes a month after Health Minister Robin Swann ordered an inquiry in relation to “grave concerns” about the consultant’s work.

Last week the General Medical Council announced it was suspending Mr O’Brien from practising in the UK.

The high-profile consultant mainly worked out of Craigavon Area Hospital and also saw patients privately from his own clinic.

He retired in June and an internal review was set up with more than 1,000 patients records recalled by the trust. As a result, 271 patients and families were then contacted.

Due to legal constraints, the medic cannot comment on the events leading up to the probe but those behind the campaign say he raised several “grievances” with the Southern Trust prior to his departure. The trust is also unable to comment now the public inquiry has been sanctioned.

Several former patients writing on the online platform refer to the “excellent” and “outstanding” medical care they received, while others singled out Mr O’Brien’s compassion.

One man credited him with saving his young wife’s life and said how he would “often ring after 11pm with long awaited results”.

On the day the inquiry was ordered, it was also announced that a public inquiry had been green-lighted into consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt following an unprecedented patient recall two years ago.

A support group was also set up for Dr Watt while dozens of other patients critical of his care took legal action against the health service.

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Mr Swann told the Assembly that, to date, 1,159 patients’ records have initially been reviewed and 271 patients or families have been contacted by the Trust.

“So far, nine cases have been identified that meet the threshold for a serious adverse incident (SAI) review and all nine patients and/or their families have been contacted by the Trust to inform them of the position in relation to their respective cases,” he said.

“A further six cases are currently being reviewed in more detail to establish if those patients have come to harm.”

Commenting on the concerns, Dr Terry Johnston of Mid-Ulster Health Care, told the Courier: “I know Mr Aidan O’Brien as an extremely hard working consultant who has demonstrated over the 25 years that I have known him, exemplary care and concern for his patients.

“He has consistently provided expert urological advice and been the first opinion I have sought out.

“He has also consistently shown great dedication to his local Dungannon and Moy community, taking a leading role over many years.

“In discussion with several GP practices across South Tyrone and Mid-Ulster, including some retired GPs, whilst some stated they wished to await full details emerging, others gave only positive comments about Mr O’Brien’s care and standing as a consultant.

“That also is the case regarding the two Mid-Ulster practices in Cookstown and Dungannon of myself and my colleagues.”

Dr Johnston expressed concern regarding what he described as “unseemly” media reporting of Mr O’Brien’s private medical practice and said as with most distinguished consultants, he was much sought after by patients for his urological expertise and therefore provided private medical practice in addition to a huge NHS workload. Indeed, private medical care saves the NHS considerable expenditure.

“Mr O’Brien has been, by some distance, the most distinguished urologist in the Southern Trust for all of the 25 years that I have been a GP principal.”

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