SIX years after patients of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale formed an action group, new victims are still coming forward.

Sheila Wright-Hogeland, founder of the group based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, revealed that injured women are still seeking help.

She told Fergal Keene, presenter of Radio 4's Taking A Stand programme, "three more just rang up to join the group this past week".

Mrs Wright-Hogeland, who lives near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, told how the group she helped to form succeeded in getting the rogue surgeon struck off by the General Medical Council in 2000 after he botched a string of operations and left many women injured.

Millions of listeners heard her condemn British medical authorities for allowing a dangerous surgeon to continue to operate on hundreds of wom-en despite being struck off in Canada.

Mrs Wright-Hogeland, who had to have an emergency operation to remove her womb after Mr Neale neglected her for six years, expressed concern that the surgeon would be able to apply to rejoin the medical register in the summer of 2005.

"I just hope to goodness he will not be allowed back," Mrs Wright-Hogeland told listeners.

She told The Northern Echo that she was particularly concerned at the delay in publishing the inquiry report into the Neale scandal.

"I think the delay is totally unacceptable. It was bad en-ough that the inquiry was held behind closed doors. The ladies in our group want to see the report."

The interview was recorded in November. Since then, seven more victims of Mr Neale, who was a gynaecologist at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital, have contacted the support group.

"Most of the women are from North Yorkshire. I have just had a heart-rending letter from someone near North-allerton. She says she is full of anger and bitterness that part of her life has been taken away from her. She wants action now."

Mrs Wright-Hogeland told listeners she had devoted five years to the campaign to bring Mr Neale to justice, and that she would do it again.

Officials from the Neale inquiry have blamed delays on the need to take late evidence.

The General Medical Council has stressed that doctors struck off for serious misconduct are unlikely to be reinstated.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.