AQW 30713/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/09/2025
Answered On Date: 24/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the steps his Department has taken to ensure that Operation Begrain is proceeding as a robust inquiry; (ii) why no senior officials from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust or his Department have to date been questioned in connection with the withholding of records, patient harm, or governance failings; and (iii) what actions his Department is taking to promote transparency and justice for affected families.

Answer:

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Operation Begrain is a live police investigation into the clinical practices of the former consultant neurologist Michael Watt. The PSNI has operational independence in its leadership of this inquiry. The Department of Health does not comment on live police investigations or operational policing matters.

In common with all parts of the Health and Social Care system, my Department will cooperate fully with the PSNI as it progresses its investigations. On 11 April 2025 an Information Sharing Agreement was signed between the Department of Health and PSNI to this end.

The PSNI’s website does provide updates and points of contact in regard to Operation Begrain – the following link may be helpful to you - www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/detectives-police-services-major-investigation-team-issue-update-operation-begrain