Sir, - I was appalled and saddened to see that Mr Bruce and the Northallerton NHS Trust had found that their only course of action was to sack Mr Hebblethwaite.

I feel that he has been made the scapegoat in the aftermath of the Mr Neale affair in an attempt to give credibility to the Trust.

Yes, Mr Hebblethwaite did make an error of judgment in carrying on an affair with a female patient but in no way was his clinical judgment or competence in question. In any other situation he would have been given a stern reprimand.

I do not believe that Mr Hebblethwaite would just ask a female patient out to dinner at an outpatient appointment had this person not given him some signals that she was interested. Nor, it would appear, did this patient complain at the time or during the affair - it appears to have only been when the affair was being ended that she felt there was any need to make a fuss. Had she not been able to hide behind the protection of anonymity perhaps she may have thought twice about it.

"Hell has no fury like a woman scorned" seems to be the phrase that springs to mind and she appears to be a spiteful, vindictive woman prepared to ruin a man's career and prospects. A man, one would have thought, she had been very close to.

I do not condone Mr Hebblethwaite's behaviour in crossing the boundaries between patient and consultant but in such cases as these why not have her name emblazoned across the newspapers, her life ruined. She was equally at fault in this. She should have brought the trust's attention to Mr Hebblethwaite's behaviour at the outset and she cannot be forgiven for that. Having set along the course of the affair she should have been prepared to face the consequences, discreetly.

Perhaps she intends to claim compensation from the trust now - I only hope she can sleep soundly in her bed.

Mrs MARGARET CONNELLY

Kirkbridge,

Crakehall,

Bedale.

Sadly missed

Sir, - I am writing to you regarding the letter by Mr Kerry Allerton (D&S Oct 13), a highly respected orthopaedic consultant at the Friarage hospital. I was deeply touched by this letter which inspired me also to take the time to write a letter of support for Mr Hebblethwaite.

I agreed with every word Mr Allerton wrote regarding the very unfair dismissal of a gynaecologist who in my mind will be sadly missed. I feel I can comment on this because I am a former patient of Mr Hebblethwaite. I can honestly say that Mr Hebblethwaite was most understanding towards my problems and did everything in his power to reassure me. Mr Hebblethwaite dealt with my case in a caring and very professional manner.

I am also convinced that there are more patients that Mr Hebblethwaite has very kindly helped who feel the same way as Mr Allerton and myself. I urge these people to find the time to drop Mr Tony Bruce, the chief executive of the Friarage hospital, a letter stating their support for Mr Hebblethwaite as I have. I personally think this is the least anyone could do to help Mr Hebblethwaite after what he has done for us.

May I finally just say that Mr Hebblethwaite and his family not only have to deal with a very large upset that has come their way, but now have to face a very dark future because of a certain lady. This clearly should have been a family matter.

Please rectify this injustice before the Friarage hospita1 loses a very able gynaecologist.

Mrs TRACEY BROWN

Sandtoft,

Topcliffe.

Plea for justice

Sir, - In response to J Dobson of Brompton on Swale, I would like to point out that the real victims in the case of Mr Neil Hebblethwaite are his family and his patients.

Like Kerry Allerton, I must declare an interest as a colleague of Neil's having worked at the Friarage for the past 20 years. The complainant is, however, also personally known to me. I would confirm Kerry's assumption. She is indeed a mature and highly articulate, intelligent individual with a legal background who is fully aware of the consequences of her actions.

There is greater complexity to the Hebblethwaite issue than we will ever know and I lack the detailed knowledge to make an informal judgment of Neil's actions.

This most unusual case, which appears to relate largely to folly, has raised anxieties. The complainant was quoted in recent reports as having concerns about the complaints procedure. I have no doubt that the internal hospital procedure will be reviewed as a result of events.

I along with many others, I am sure, do however make the most ardent plea for natural justice to be administered.

Dr NEIL M BROWNING

Thirsk Road,

Northallerton.

l More letters on page 2