THE Government has revealed it expects to publish its much-delayed response to a series of medical scandals, including the Richard Neale affair, in the spring.

Campaigners who represent victims of the disgraced surgeon, who worked at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said action by the Government to stop rogue doctors was overdue.

News that the Government is finalising details of its response to 2004 Neale inquiry - as well as to inquiries into the Kerr-Haslam and Shipman medical scandals - came in a letter from Health Minister Jane Kennedy to William Hague, MP for Richmond.

Ms Kennedy revealed that the Department of Health expected to publish the formal response to all the inquiries in the spring, including "a comprehensive programme of action", once chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson had completed his review of medical regulations.

The Neale inquiry report severely criticised the NHS and General Medical Council (GMC) for ignoring warning signs about him and failing to protect patients.

Neale was struck off the medical register by the GMC in 2000 after he was found guilty of 34 out of 35 allegations of serious professional misconduct, including botching operations, lying to patients and altering medical records.

Most allegations were made when Neale worked at the Friarage, between 1985 and 1995. It was only a determined campaign by former patients that led to him being struck off.

The Neale inquiry report also called for better handling and recording of complaints, better checks before doctors were recruited and extra powers to supervise the employment of doctors.

Government officials said they wanted to consider a joint response to all the inquiries.

Ms Kennedy said officials had made good progress in developing responses to proposals.

Graham Maloney, advisor to the group representing victims of Neale, said: "Hundreds of recommendations have been made and it is no good that they are gathering dust on a shelf somewhere.

"Until action is taken to reform the medical profession and the NHS, patients are still at risk."

North Yorkshire psychiatrists William Kerr and Michael Haslam were both accused of alleged indecency involving patients. In Kerr's case, 67 patients complained, and in Haslam's case, ten complained. Haslam served a jail term for indecency and Kerr was found guilty by a jury of indecency.

Neale was arrested, questioned and released on police bail two weeks ago by North Yorkshire detectives, in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations by former patients.