Public Inquiry

Urology Services Inquiry

Status: Completed Chair: Christine Smith KC Established: Aug 2021 Report: Jun 2026 Commissioned by: Northern Ireland Executive

Statutory inquiry examining urology services provided by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, focusing on the clinical practice of consultant urologist Aidan O'Brien at Craigavon Area Hospital. Established November 2020 following a Southern Trust review that identified over 350 …

Response breakdown

8 recommendations total

100%

8 (100%) — Awaiting Response

Data verified: 7 Jul 2026 (Claude)

Key facts

Duration: 4 years, 9 months Total cost: £7.7m

Reports & milestones

Reports

24 Jun 2026 8 tracked recs Urology Services Inquiry Report · Tracked recommendations · PDF

Timeline

05 Nov 2021 Inquiry Announced Health Minister Robin Swann announced inquiry into urology services in Southern Health Trust.

01 Apr 2022 Chair Appointed Sir John Mitting appointed as Chair of the Inquiry.

21 Nov 2022 Inquiry Opens Inquiry formally opened examining urology services at Southern Health and Social Care Trust. · Source

15 Jan 2024 Public Hearings B… Oral evidence hearings commenced. · Source

01 Jan 2025 Hearings Continue Evidence hearings continue through 2025.

24 Jun 2026 Final report publ… The Inquiry published its final report, chaired by Christine Smith KC, setting out recommendations on patient safety, leadership … · Source

Recommendations

8 shown

Code	Recommendation	Addressed to	Response
AFA-1	Patient focus and complaints The Inquiry recommends that the Trust and Department work together to ensure there is: • A specific programme of work to strengthen …	Southern Health and Social Care Trust	Response Pending	View →
AFA-2	Organisational development and cultural reform The Inquiry recommends that: • The Department should continue to emphasise the importance of cultural change as shown in current work and …	Southern Health and Social Care Trust	Response Pending	View →
AFA-3	Board and senior leadership development The Inquiry recommends: • The Department implements and funds a bespoke, regional leadership development programme for Board members and senior leaders, co-designed …	Department of Health NI	Response Pending	View →
AFA-4	Governance The Inquiry recommends a programme of work by the Trust to: • Consolidate governance improvements into a clear, prioritised programme overseen by …	Southern Health and Social Care Trust	Response Pending	View →
AFA-5	Serious Adverse Incidents We recommend that: • The new SAI framework is fully implemented by the Department. There should be regional support for those leading …	Department of Health NI	Response Pending	View →
AFA-6	Medical leadership and doctors in difficulty The Inquiry recommends that: • There must be sustained investment in leadership development for doctors at all career stages. Improvements discussed in …	Department of Health NI	Response Pending	View →
AFA-7A	Urology Service The impact of the Inquiry on the Urology Department has been very significant. The Inquiry recommends that the Urology Service be provided …	Southern Health and Social Care Trust	Response Pending	View →
AFA-7B	Cancer Services The Trust has worked through a detailed action plan relating to Cancer Services, specifically in relation to the oversight and support for …	Southern Health and Social Care Trust	Response Pending	View →