A former patient who led efforts to get Richard Neale struck off has condemned Health Secretary Dr John Reid for refusing to meet representatives of more than 300 victims.

Sheila Wright-Hogeland is founder and chairwoman of the action group set up to try to stop the disgraced surgeon's activities at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

During a ten-year career at the hospital and at other medical facilities around the UK, Mr Neale botched a string of gynaecological operations, leaving many women in agony.

Even though he was struck off by the General Medical Council in 2000, the group is concerned at the length of time taken by the independent inquiry into the Neale scandal to report back to Dr Reid.

The inquiry began taking evidence in May last year and its report is now being drafted.

The group want the Health Secretary to bring in rules that will ensure hospitals deal with complaints promptly and thoroughly.

Graham Maloney, advisor to the Neale group, wrote to the minister in January requesting a meeting to discuss their concerns.

In reply, a spokeswoman said the inquiry was independent and therefore the department could not interfere.

"Due to the pressure of parliamentary and other commitments, the Secretary of State is not able to agree to your request for a meeting," the letter said.

In an angry response, Mrs Wright-Hogeland said: "In my view, it is an affront to the victims of Neale and to the public for the Health Secretary to refuse a meeting or any assistance on the grounds that he is 'too busy'. . . the greatest commitment should be to trying to ensure that patients are properly protected in the UK."

Last night, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health said that ministers will "take appropriate action" once they have published the report.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.