Dr Watt was suspended last year and the majority of his 2,500 patients recalled. No details about why the patients were recalled were released at the time, and an anticipated report into the issue was not released. It is now understood there were concerns of possible misdiagnoses by Dr Watt, however this has not been confirmed. 

Local Cllr Victor Warrington is one of many patients from Fermanagh who were treated by the Belfast-based neurologist. After it emerged recently Dr Watt is to retire due to medical reasons, Cllr Warrington said the entire situation had been “dealt with very poorly.”

“Dr Watt, to me, was a legend,” said Cllr Warrington, who said the doctor had helped him through his MS diagnosis. 

Cllr Warrington said the views of those who were happy with Dr Watt’s treatment were not being heard enough. He pointed out his loss to the health service would be especially felt at a time when neurologists were in such short supply. 

“If a man has two-and-a-half-thousand patients through the NHS, getting 100 percent right, it’s going to be difficult,” the councillor, who is the local lead support volunteer for the MS Society. . “I feel there was a witch hunt to a degree, and the treatment he got was unfair.” 

Another patient of Dr Watt had previously told the Herald she was left “in limbo” following his suspension. The woman, who didn’t want to be named, said her treatment and condition had suffered as a result of changing doctors.