A report examining the medical practice of a Drogheda obstetrician has raised questions in relation to almost two-thirds of the caesarean hysterectomies he carried out.
However, the report, written by three colleagues from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, recommends that Dr Michael Neary, a consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, should return to work after a six-month period of supervised postgraduate work.
Earlier this year the Medical Council went to the High Court to have Dr Neary suspended from the medical register. His case is due to be heard by the Council's Fitness to Practise Committee shortly.
Following the revelation by The Irish Times last December that concerns had been raised over an abnormally high number of caesarean hysterectomies carried out by Dr Neary, over 200 letters were received by the North Eastern Health Board. The letters disclosed further complaints regarding him which had hitherto been unknown to the board.
Now, as a result of its continuing concerns for Dr Neary's former patients, the board will announce it is setting up a panel of obstetricians to which former patients may go for consultation and advice.
Dr Neary has been on paid administrative leave since late last year. He could not be contacted at his home last night. It is understood the board is considering his employment.
The report was delivered yesterday evening to the board's solicitor in Dublin, Mr Gary Byrne. The 70-page document contains a number of recommendations.
A copy was also given to representatives of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association.
It found that Dr Neary's clinical practice in regard to caesarean hysterectomies was unacceptable in 46.2 per cent of the cases reviewed, acceptable in 41 per cent of cases and doubtful in 12.8 per cent of cases.
Mr Byrne, of BCM Hanby Wallace, said last night he had received the report at 5 p.m. and
would present it to the chief executive of the board, Mr Donal O'Shea, on Monday morning. "That is the only comment I or the board wish to make at this stage," he said.