THE group representing victims of Richard Neale have called for free tests for women who fear they have contracted HIV from the disgraced surgeon.

The call was made by Graham Maloney, spokesman for the 200-strong Action and Support Group for Medical Victims of Richard Neale.

"The worry that they may have contracted HIV is a very real concern," he said.

A number of women operated on by the struck-off former gynaecologist at The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, have been living in fear of possible HIV infection, it has emerged.

The concern centres on the police caution given to the surgeon in 1991 after he was arrested in a public lavatory in Richmond, and allegations that he frequently carried out clinical procedures without wearing rubber surgical gloves.

Police officers found the consultant with two men who were engaged in an intimate act in a public place.

At the time Mr Neale's patients were not told of the police caution, although the incident was revealed by The Northern Echo in November 1993.

When the facts emerged, the Northallerton hospital trust stood by the surgeon.

Mr Neale was struck off the medical register more than a month ago after the General Medical Council's disciplinary committee found him guilty of serious professional misconduct.

At least two of the women patients who gave evidence against him expressed concern that the surgeon did not wear rubber gloves during procedures.

Mr Maloney said the trust told one patient that they had carried out checks on Mr Neale and found "he was safe to deal with patients".

The issue of HIV was raised by Northallerton Community Health Council chief officer Mrs Val Stangoe in a letter sent to Health Secretary Alan Milburn.

Mrs Stangoe said it would be "useful if some kind of reassurance could be given" to women who feared the possible consequences of treatment by Mr Neale "with regard to HIV status".

In the letter, the watchdog's chief officer supports the group's call for a public inquiry into the Neale scandal.

Mrs Stangoe also expressed her support for the patient group's call for The Friarage to provide an independent counselling service to women "who have already undergone enormous amounts of stress over a long period of time".

No one was available for comment at The Friarage.

The Medical Protection Society said the issues were a matter between the CHC and the trust.

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