Urology inquiry: Waiting lists greatest source of harm
- Published
Aidan O'Brien worked at the Southern Health Trust from 1992
A former consultant at the Southern Health Trust has told an inquiry into urology services that waiting lists are the "greatest source of patient harm".
The inquiry was established in 2021 and is examining the trust's handling of urology services prior to May 2020.
Aidan O'Brien became a consultant urologist in Craigavon Area Hospital in July 1992.
His work is at the centre of the inquiry.
Giving evidence on Monday, he said waiting list figures highlighted what "myself and my colleagues [have said] for decades" and described it as a "grossly inadequate service".
"If you look at four-and-a-half years for urgent surgery, it is appalling," he told the inquiry.
"I don't have a magic solution to the current situation, which is dire."
Aiden O'Brien lists 'longer than colleagues'
Now retired, Mr O'Brien held a number of senior roles for almost 28 years.
When asked why his patient review lists were longer than some of his colleagues, he said: "I don't know".
He then set out possible reasons for the disparity, including the nature of cases, surgery, and the focus for different consultants.
Speaking about a 2009 review which was endorsed by the then-health minister in March 2010, Mr O'Brien said the recommendations were "top-down" with the need for greater manpower, beds and theatre services.
When lead counsel to the inquiry Martin Wolfe KC asked Mr O'Brien if taking on additional slots to cope with workload pressures meant he was taking more risks elsewhere, he answered "yes".
Mr O'Brien worked at Craigavon Area Hospital before his retirement in July 2020
Mr O'Brien said in retrospect, after statements from colleagues were put to him, t was a "major regret" that he was trying to juggle too much.
"Ethically and compassionately if you are reading and trying to respond to cries of desperation everyday," he explained.
"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to operate on two or three more patients."
He said additional work was done in his own time.
Scheduling chaos claims 'almost gossip'
During Monday's session, Mr O'Brien was also asked about other working practices and productivity.
It was put to him that in 2017, he was the only consultant in urology not using digital dictation.
He was also questioned about his choice to telephone patients about treatment when he could have passed that responsibility on to a scheduler or an assistant.
Mr O'Brien dismissed these claims as "a lot of almost gossip, it's rumour".
"I never created admin havoc in theatre or scheduling of patients because I paid attention to it," he added.
"With regard to triage, it's grossly exaggerated.
"I go back to the inadequacy once again. I'm not sure the modern ways are an improvement to patient experience."
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