A scandal too far

Neil Hebblethwaite, described as a "committed and respected" consultant, was fired after an internal inquiry upheld the woman's complaint.

Yesterday's announcement is the second major scandal to rock the The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, within three months.

It follows the Richard Neale scandal in which the disgraced gynaecologist was struck off after being found guilty of botching operations.

A patients' group campaigning for an inquiry into the Neale affair says the case is a scandal too far, and has called for the resignation of trust managers.

The trust refused to release details of the latest complaint, other than to say no other patients are believed to be involved. But it is understood to centre around allegations that Mr Hebblethwaite had an affair with the patient. She made the complaint after the affair ended.

Last night, the woman patient who complained about Mr Hebblethwaite said she felt the decision had vindicated her action.

"This is a consultant who had been treating me for two years and performed two major operations. He was somebody I trusted and he abused that trust," she said.

The patient made the original complaint in January.

"Everyone assumes you are a nutty patient who has just made this up. You have to be strong and it has taken its toll on me," she added.

She criticised the Friarage for putting her through "sheer hell" by taking nine months to hold an internal investigation into the complaint.

During the investigation, she was particularly concerned that she had to give evidence in front of the 44-year-old consultant, who is married with a family of four children.

Although she has complained to the General Medical Council about Mr Hebblethwaite's conduct she said she would not wish to "go through it all again" and give evidence in person.

In her submission to the GMC, the woman included evidence that Mr Hebblethwaite tested her for a sexually transmitted disease while the affair was on-going.

Graham Maloney, the spoke-sman for the Victims of Richard Neale support group, which backed the patient's complaint, said this latest scandal showed that the Friarage management should "stand aside" in order to restore flagging public confidence in the hospital.

Patients who live in the Northallerton area are still coming to terms with the Richard Neale scandal earlier this summer. Mr Neale was struck off for botching operations and lying to patients during his ten years at The Friarage.

Now the previously "exemplary" consultant Neil Hebblethwaite - who was a colleague of Richard Neale between 1993 and 1995 - could face a similar fate because of his lapse in judgement.

A spokeswoman for the GMC said they were aware of the latest complaint and were considering their course of action.

"As far as testimony is concerned we would have discussions with the complainant rather than via the media," the spokeswoman said.

On a previous occasion, the GMC has confirmed that having a sexual relationship with a patient could constitute serious professional misconduct.

Tony Bruce, chief executive of the trust, said dismissal was "the only appropriate response" to the serious allegations. A copy of the internal inquiry report has already been forwarded to the GMC, the chief executive added.

Until the complaint, Mr Hebblethwaite was held in high regard and there was no concern about his clinical competence, he added.

The latest difficulty "was in no way the same" as the Neale scandal, said Mr Bruce.

Since the complaint became public in April, about 50 patients had written to the hospital in support of Mr Hebblethwaite, he added.

While the trust would give the consultant a reference to work elsewhere, it would reflect the circumstances of the dismissal, said Mr Bruce.

The Friarage boss rejected suggestions that the present management of the hospital should step aside.

"The trust has taken appropriate action in the light of this unfortunate episode," he said.

A reporter called at Mr Hebblethwaite's Northallerton home yesterday but no one was available for comment.

Mr Bruce said he understood that the consultant did not wish to talk to the press.

Patients who have any concerns should contact Mrs Pat Martin, director of nursing on (01609) 763907.

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