THE long-awaited Richard Neale inquiry began in York today.
The inquiry, taking place at the Hilton Hotel, near Clifford's Tower, will investigate how the NHS handled complaints against the disgraced North Yorkshire gynaecologist.
Neale, of Langthorpe, near Boroughbridge, who worked at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, between 1985 and 1995, was struck off in 2000 for botching a series of operations.
A number of former patients, including Sheila Wright-Hogeland, from near Kirkbymoorside, who chairs a support group for victims of the surgeon, are boycotting the inquiry because it is being held behind closed doors.
Their efforts to press for a full public inquiry were unsuccessful, although Health Secretary Alan Milburn has promised that the inquiry report will be published in full at a later date.
Updated: 11:27 Thursday, May 01, 2003
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