CAMPAIGNERS fighting for the victims of bungling consultant Richard Neale are to meet experts sent in to help a hospital improve its image.

The victims' support group is calling for a major inquiry into the scandal and a review of complaints procedures at The Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, where Mr Neale was head of maternity.

Now, the head of a national NHS team, which has been asked to work with The Friarage to help ensure the quality of health care following a series of scandals, has invited leading campaigners to discuss their concerns.

Professor Aidan Halligan, director of clinical governance for the NHS, will meet Graham Maloney and Sheila Wright-Hogeland on Monday, before the team moves into The Friarage.

A spokesman for the clinical governance team said: "We are very keen to involve patients in the work we do and, obviously, patients' concerns about some of the issues that have gone on in Northallerton will be considered.

"They are very well known in the area and we thought it was a good idea to meet them."

Mr Neale, who left The Friarage in 1995, was struck off the medical register in July after a General Medical Council disciplinary committee found him guilty of 34 out of 35 misconduct charges.

Last month, the hospital dismissed consultant gynaecologist Neil Hebblethwaite for having an affair with a woman patient, amid concerns over the way the complaint was handled.

Last week, it emerged that Friarage chief executive Tony Bruce was moving to another post, though he denied this was as a result of the scandals.

Mr Maloney said they were delighted to be part of the clinical governance team's plans for the hospital.

He said: "We are very pleased that we are being included, and the fact that the team is going in there is a recognition that something needs to be done.

"The fact that the team has been in touch with us is a major step forward and it is using the problems we have had as a starting point.

"These issues need to be seen to be investigated, and the findings published, so we can move on in restoring confidence in the hospital.