MORE than two years after he was struck off for botching operations, the long-awaited inquiry into Richard Neale is finally getting under way.

The inquiry chairman, Suzan Matthews QC, has invited former patients of Mr Neale to come forward and give evidence.

Unlike the General Medical Council investigation, which led to the former Friarage Hospital surgeon being struck off, the independent inquiry set up by Health Secretary Alan Milburn is only looking at the way the NHS handled complaints about Mr Neale.

The inquiry has begun gathering evidence in advance of private hearings which will be held at a later date.

One of the main reasons why patients set up their campaign group was the way in which hundreds of complaints were allegedly ignored by the Northallerton hospital.

At one stage it is understood that Mr Neale was actually in charge of dealing with complaints about his department.

Mr Neale arrived at the Friarage Hospital in 1985 after a chequered career in the Canadian health service which saw him struck off following the death of a patient.

Despite his record in Canada, he was promoted at the Friarage until the number of complaints against him led management to give him a £100,000 pay-off and a favourable reference.

Mr Neale subsequently worked for NHS hospitals in Leicester and on the Isle of Wight.

Ms Matthews said: "We want to hear from former NHS patients and others who are not already known to us who have information that will help with our inquiry.

"We can be contacted directly by freephone or free-post. NHS staff will have the opportunity to contact Public Concern at Work for independent confidential advice. Confidentiality will be assured, but our findings and recommendations will be published."

Graham Maloney, advisor to the victims, said: "The system failed all of these patients, not just the Friarage. I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward so we can try to improve safety for patients and nip poor-performing doctors in the bud."

The inquiry team can be contacted by writing to The Inquiry Office, 6th Floor, Hannibal House, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6TE or by freepost to, The Inquiry Office, Freepost, LON 17796, London SW1P 3YU or telephone on 020 7972 2400 or freephone 0800 389 7495.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.