THE publication of the much-delayed report into disgraced North Yorkshire gynaecologist Richard Neale could be held up again, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Fifteen months have passed since the inquiry into the former Northallerton gynaecologist got under way in York.

It had originally been hoped that the report into Mr Neale - who was struck off in 2000 for botching a string of operations - would have been completed before the end of last year.

But officials appear to have underestimated the sheer complexity of the inquiry, which narrowly focused on how the NHS handled large numbers of complaints against the former Friarage Hospital surgeon.

Yesterday, Colin Phillips, inquiry secretary, said: "It is now finished and we are just signing it off. I would hope it would get to Dr Reid (Health Secretary John Reid) within a week to ten days."

However, it is unclear when Dr Reid will have an opportunity to publish the report, along with any recommendations he may wish to make, because the House of Commons is in recess for the summer break.

"We will deliver a hard copy of the report to Dr Reid. It is then turned into what is known as a command paper by the Department of Health and published," said Mr Phillips.

The inquiry was ordered by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn in 2001.

Sheila Wright-Hogeland from near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, was left unable to have children after Neale failed to treat a gynaecological condition.

Last night, Mrs Wright-Hogeland, who went on to found and lead the 300-strong Action and Support Group for Medical Victims of Richard Neale, said: "It is a disgrace how long this secret inquiry has taken to get to this stage. We believe it has been a waste of public money."

The victims' group initially took legal action to force the Department of Health to hold a full public inquiry, but were unsuccessful. Only a handful of victims gave evidence during the inquiry.

"We still believe a public inquiry was needed to get to the truth," said Mrs Wright-Hogeland. "Because of the way it was set up, it couldn't investigate the crucial role of the General Medical Council or the police.

"No one has been held to account despite the fact that many people must have covered up for Neale."

Mrs Wright-Hogeland said victims were hoping that the report would allow them "some kind of closure" to what had been a nightmarish experience.

But she said she had little confidence that the report would help to make the NHS a safer place for patients.

Neale managed to find work at the Friarage despite having been struck off in Canada after the deaths of two of his patients.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "We would wish to publish the report as quickly as possible but clearly it needs to be read, digested and a response put together. This can't be done over-night.