| Synopsis: |
This report sets out the findings of an independent statutory inquiry, established in July 2001, to investigate the NHS's handling of allegations of misconduct by Richard Neale, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. Complaints about the poor judgement and surgical procedure of Mr Neale had been made in hospitals in Canada in 1978 and 1981, following the deaths of two patients, resulting in him being struck off the Canadian Medical Register in 1985. However, he then worked in a number of hospitals in North Yorkshire and elsewhere in the UK, until media reports in 1993 revealed numerous concerns. In 1996, following a disciplinary hearing into his conduct and activities in which Mr Neale contested all allegations, he was sacked with a negotiated severance package, and finally, in July 2000, he was struck off the General Medical Register. The remit of the inquiry was to examine the NHS's handling of the case, principally from 1985 to 1997, and whether effective procedures were operating in local health services in order to ensure appropriate remedial action was taken.The inquiry's findings include that: there were inadequate checks on Neale's clinical expertise by his peers the Health Authority failed to properly investigate the incidents in Canada misleading job references were provided by health employers for him that the overbearing approach adopted by Neale stifled complaints by concerned patients and colleagues alike about his fitness to practice The inquiry's recommendations include: the need for an overarching professional body to oversee all aspects of rules governing the appointment and employment of doctors and to prioritise the interests of patient safety improved adverse event reporting systems better complaints handling procedures more rigorous job application and interviewing procedures |