DOZENS of women awaiting specialist key-hole surgery at a North-East gynaecological unit are to be turned away.

Pioneering surgeon Professor Ray Garry, a world-renowned expert in the treatment of the womb condition endometriosis, announced he is quitting the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough to take up a post in Australia.

Prof Garry helped develop laparascopic surgery at the unit, a minimally invasive technique to cut away the infected area without damaging the womb.

But now many of the 50 out-patients waiting for treatment are now facing the prospect of more invasive surgery, and possibly even hysterectomy.

The surgery technique has proved so successful that the hospital receives 500 referrals a year from throughout Britain.

But the increased workload, coupled with the Government's 12-month maximum waiting time target, has meant it can no longer cope.

While the hospital hopes to treat the 130 women currently booked in for surgery, it has written to 50 others to cancel their appointments - and is informing consultants and family doctors that Prof Garry is unable to take any new referrals.

Alison Hughes, James Cook's divisional manager for women and children's services, said: "I'm not aware of anywhere else in the country that offers this type of surgery."

Peter Johnson, chief officer of the South Tees Community Health Council, said: "There's only one Ray Garry and the Trust will have to assess the competence of his support team to ensure they are capable of stepping into his shoes.

"If not, we are looking at a longer term return to standard surgery."