Martin to decide on Neary inquiry in 'matter of weeks'

It may be a number of weeks before a decision is made on establishing a public inquiry into Drogheda obstetrician Dr Michael Neary, the Department of Health said today.

The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, is coming under increasing pressure to set up a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the doctor being struck off the medical register yesterday.

Dr Neary was found guilty by the Irish Medical Council of unnecessarily removing the wombs of ten women during Caesarian hysterectomies. More than 100 women have claimed he was guilty of professional misconduct during the past 20 years, when he worked in the obstetric unit in Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth.

Mr Martin has been asked by the Irish Medical Council (IMC) to look into what it described as "serious issues" about the running of the unit. The IMC has sent its report to the Minister's office for consideration.

A Department spokeswoman told ireland.comthis morning Mr Martin would study the report before meeting the IMC and members of the Patient Focus Group, which represents many of the women affected by Dr Neary's actions.

This could take "a matter of weeks", she said.

The Labour Party, Fine Gael, the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Workers' Party have all called for a judicial inquiry into the case to be established immediately.

Labour's health spokeswoman, Ms Liz McManus, this morning demanded that the Government speeds up legislation on guidelines for health workers.

Ms McManus said women who had suffered a "terrible and lasting injury" needed answers to the questions they had been asking.

Fine Gael's health spokeswoman, Ms Olivia Mitchell TD, said the delays in investigating Dr Neary highlight what she called the "inadequacies" of self-regulation.

"If anyone other than a medical professional was accused of mutilating dozens of people a Garda investigation would have taken place and a file sent to the DPP," she said. "It is not right that by simply being a qualified doctor one is entitled to be judged only by one's peers and is protected, in this case for years, from the justice system which applies to the rest of the population."

The Patient Focus Group called on Mr Martin to establish an inquiry. Ms Sheila O'Connor said the group's members were satisfied that justice had been done, but it was "a pity" it had taken so long.

The North Eastern Health Board issued a statement today in an effort to reassure the public that Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital will continue to provide them with quality care.

"The maternity unit in the hospital will deliver approximately 3,500 babies in 2003," it said. "The dedicated team of staff in the unit will continue to provide a high standard of services to women and their families."

Dr Neary has 21 days in which to apply to the High Court for cancellation of the Medical Council decision, in which case the application will be heard in open court.