HEALTH bosses have apologised for the "insensitive appointment" of disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale to the role of checking standards of doctors at a hospital.

Greater Manchester Health Authority admitted his appointment - to an administrative role auditing the work of doctors treating heart patients - had been a mistake.

Mr Neale, the former head of maternity services at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was struck off two years ago by the General Medical Council (GMC) after it was revealed he had botched a series of operations.

Only 12 months after the GMC found he had committed 34 acts of professional misconduct, Mr Neale was appointed to a role within the NHS which he held for nine months, until April this year.

Neil Goodwin, chief executive of Greater Manchester Health Authority, said: "The appointment of Richard Neale to this post was clearly unacceptable, and on behalf of the health service in Manchester I want to apologise for the distress this may have caused his former patients and their families.

"A high-level investigation has looked into this incident and recommendations are being acted upon to prevent similar inappropriate appointments in the future.

"We can reassure the public that Richard Neale was employed in a very junior position and was not involved in direct contact with patients. Nevertheless, it was an insensitive appointment and we are aware that it must not be repeated."

Mr Neale had been auditing doctors at Wythenshawe Hospital, which is run by South Manchester University Hospitals Trust.

Sheila Wright-Hogeland, of Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, a former patient of Mr Neale who heads a support group for his victims, said: "I appreciate the fact they have actually apologised, it's more than the Department of Health has done.

"But it doesn't explain how he was appointed in the first place."

Mrs Wright-Hogeland wants the inquiry into the matter to be held in public and not behind closed doors.

She also wants changes in the law to prevent doctors who have been struck off from working in any capacity within the NHS, a situation she described as "absolutely ludicrous".

David Hinchliffe MP, chairman of the Health Select Committee, said the Department of Health should issue guidelines to trusts warning them not to employ struck off doctors in any capacity.

"If simple guidelines are not strong enough we may need legislation," he said.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.