A RESPECTED surgeon who was sacked and then reinstated after his affair with a patient is to return to work, it was revealed last night.

Suspended gynaecologist Neil Hebblethwaite was due to face a General Medical Council misconduct hearing.

But yesterday, it was confirmed that the hearing will not take place after the unidentified woman complainant said she could not risk the "further trauma" of giving evidence.

Her decision means that the 45-year-old father-of-four can finally return to work at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, after a gap of nearly two years.

Mr Bruce Skilbeck, chief executive of the Northallerton Health Services NHS Trust, said he would be meeting Mr Hebblethwaite next Tuesday to discuss his return to work.

Speaking through her solicitor the woman complainant said she had been "traumatised" by her experiences.

She claimed that the situation had been made worse by the trust's handling of her complaint.

"Regrettably" the patient felt unable to follow through her complaint to the GMC, due to the stressful nature of the proceedings.

She said she was "content" that Mr Hebblethwaite remained on a final written warning from the hospital.

Audrey Pitchforth, a former patient of Mr Hebblethwaite, said she believed many people in the Northallerton area would be delighted at the prospect of Mr Hebblethwaite's reinstatement. "I have nothing but respect for the consultant and I know many of his other patients share my views," she said.

Mr Skilbeck agreed that Mr Hebblethwaite had been guilty of a lapse in judgement but added that he had a good clinical reputation.

"There has been a considerable number of patients who have expressed support for Mr Hebblethwaite," he said.

"We have never had any issue about his clinical competence."

The saga began in April 2000 when the previously exemplary surgeon went on indefinite leave after a woman patient made a number of allegations against him.

In October 2000, following an internal investigation, Mr Skilbeck said dismissal was "the only appropriate response" after an allegation of misconduct was upheld.

A copy of the internal report was forwarded to the GMC at that time.

Mr Hebblethwaite appealed against dismissal and remained suspended until the matter could be resolved.

In April 2001, the Northallerton Trust Board considered the recommendations of an independent appeal panel and decided to reinstate the surgeon.

However, the trust confirmed the original findings of misconduct and the consultant was issued with a final written warning which remains in force.

Mr Hebblethwaite was unavailable for comment.

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