The news comes after it emerged that two more women, who fear that disgraced surgeon Richard Neale may have been at fault during difficult childbirths, have contacted a special helpline. Last week, The Northern Echo revealed that a North Yorkshire woman is taking legal action against the struck-off former Friarage Hospital surgeon, after her newborn baby died. Campaigner Sheila Wright-Hogeland, herself a victim of Dr Neale, who can never have children as a result of his surgery, broke the news that the women are to have access to the nation's best gynaecologists, after her meeting with Mr Donaldson. She said counselling is also to be offered to the victims. None of the women will have to go through the Friarage for the consultations.
Compensation is important, but the physical health of the women is what really matters.
The revelations of more complaints against Mr Neale were made before victims of the former consultant, who are pushing for an inquiry, emerged from the meeting. While 77 women have already complained to The Friarage about the former consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician, so far they have all involved Mr Neale's gynaecological patients. The new complaint is the first to be made about the surgeon's work as an obstetrician.