Inquiry to look at Neale pay-off
Barry Nelson
30/09/2002

In a major concession to campaigners, the inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal is to focus on his wider NHS career.

Last week's decision means that the inquiry team will now be able to look at the notorious reference given to Mr Neale by Friarage Hospital managers to get rid of him.

This allowed him to endanger other NHS patients before he was struck off.

Campaign group advisor Graham Maloney said the change of heart was "a major step forward" but still fell short of the group's objectives, which include allowing private patients to give evidence.

The decision to expand the time covered by the inquiry from 1985 to 1997 - two years later than the original period covered - follows representations from the campaign group.

Mr Neale arrived at the Friarage in 1985 after a career in Canada which saw him struck off following the death of a patient.

Despite his record in Canada, he was promoted at the Friarage until the torrent of complaints against him forced management to give him a £100,000 pay-off and a favourable reference to get him off their hands.

He subsequently worked for Leicester Royal Infirmary and St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight before going on to work in the private sector.

After extensive campaigning by a 250-strong group founded by his former victims, he was struck of in July 2000 for botching operations and lying to patients.

A separate NHS investigation is under way into how Mr Neale came to be employed in a clinical audit department at Wythenshawe Hospital, in Manchester, between April and August this year.

Details about the main inquiry, which is likely to be held in York early next year behind closed doors, were disclosed by Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt.

He confirmed that leading barrister Suzan Matthews will chair the inquiry into how the NHS handled allegations about the performance and conduct of Mr Neale.

Lord Hunt also announced the appointment of two panel members to support Ms Matthews. They are Christina Funnell, chairman of the Consumer Health Information Centre and Derek Caldwell, a former chief executive of Stockport Acute Services NHS Trust.

Anyone wishing to contact the team, including former patients or former colleagues, should contact the inquiry secretary, Pauline Fox, on 0207 972 2400.