Surgeon's victims to protest in London
13/04/2002

Former victims of gynaecologist Richard Neale are expected to be represented at a demonstration outside the Department of Health on Monday.

The protest, on the steps of Health Secretary Alan Milburn's London headquarters, could be the first step in setting up an umbrella group for victims of medical error.

Organised by the Sufferers of Iatrogenic Neglect (Sin), a patient support group, the demonstration will include representatives from a number of other patient organisations campaigning for justice for the victims of medical mistakes.

There are plans to hold a meeting at the House of Commons next month hosted by Hackney MP Diane Abbott.

The aim is to explore the possibility of setting up a national umbrella group to represent medical victims.

According to the Association for Victims of Medical Accidents (AVMA), a high proportion of all medical victims are women who have undergone gynaecological procedures which have gone wrong.

Graham Maloney, advisor to the Richard Neale victims group, said he planned to attend the demonstration in Whitehall.

"It looks like quite a few patient groups are going to get together and set up a national data base," said Mr Maloney.

The Neale group, which represents more than 200 women injured by the struck-off former surgeon at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is campaigning for a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Mr Neale's NHS career.

Group founder Sheila Wright-Hogeland, from Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, is expected to attend the meeting at the House of Commons.