CAMPAIGNERS are claiming victory after the NHS agreed to give the victims of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale access to fast-track corrective surgery.

It is the first time in the history of the NHS that such measures have been taken after a medical scandal, reflecting the scale of the Neale affair.

The deal - struck with the Department of Health - will mean that up to 250 former patients will be given the treatment.

Some of the women have endured years of pain, discomfort and incontinence since undergoing surgery at The Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, where Neale worked for ten years.

As well as priority medical treatment, the NHS is providing a support package, including counselling, which will be supervised by a dedicated case worker.

The unprecedented offer follows a direct appeal from the patients' support group to the Government's chief medical officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, that the victims' needs were not being met.

Prof Donaldson met representatives of the women on several occasions and assured them he would help.

A team from the NHS Clinical Governance Support Unit moved to The Friarage last October to improve standards of health care and boost flagging public confidence.

Graham Maloney, the Yarm health campaigner who has championed the women's cause, said: "It is a tremendous victory after the women asked Professor Donaldson for help."

Richard Neale was struck off last July after he botched a string of gynaecological operations at The Friarage and at a number of other UK hospitals.

He is being investigated by police on both sides of the Atlantic after three deaths in the UK and the death of a patient when he worked in Canada.

A large number of his former patients are suing The Friarage for damages.

As part of the package, the patients will be given a full medical assessment by an NHS consultant at the private Duchy Nuffield Hospital, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Those who can benefit from surgery will be seen at the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary by one of the top uro- gynaecological specialists in the country, Paul Hinton.

Pat Looms was treated by Neale at The Friarage in 1993, and she has been suffering with incontinence and bowel problems ever since.

As a member of the Action and Support Group for Medical Victims of Richard Neale, she is considered to be one of the worst cases.

The group is putting her forward as one of the first in line for corrective surgery.

She spoke out about her seven-year ordeal and her hopes for surgery in the future.

She said: "I've been in agony for years and it's left me in complete despair.

"I hope something can be done to make me better. I am not sure how much more suffering I can take, emotionally or physically."

Sheila Wright-Hogeland, from near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, the co-founder of the patients' group, said: "As a result of what Neale did to me I cannot have children and I will have to stay on HRT for the rest of my life."

The former model is suing Neale for negligence.

Simon John, a leading UK medical negligence lawyer, said the measures taken by the NHS in this case were unprecedented.

While the patient group is delighted at the outcome of talks with Prof Donaldson's staff, it is continuing to press for a public inquiry into the Neale affair.

"It is vital we get an inquiry," said Mr Maloney.

Steve O'Neill, a spokesman for the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team, said there was a complete commitment to help the victims in every way possible.