Managers at the health authority which employed disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale have apologised for his "insensitive appointment".

Greater Manchester Health Authority admitted his appointment to an administrative role auditing the work of doctors treating heart patients was a mistake.

Mr Neale, was banned from either operating or treating patients in July 2000 after he was found guilty of 34 charges.

A General Medical Council (GMC) hearing heard that he had botched the care of his female patients leaving 15 of them in pain, incontinent or unable to bear children.

I want to apologise for the distress this may have caused his former patients and their families

Neil Goodwin, chief executive of the health authority

Neil Goodwin, chief executive of the health authority, said there had been an investigation into the appointment at the Wythenshawe Hospital, run by South Manchester University Hospitals Trust.

Changes

He said an external review of the trust's personnel department had recommended major restructuring and a new director of human resources to carry out the changes.

"The appointment of Richard Neale to this post was clearly unacceptable and on behalf of the health service in Manchester, I want to apologise for the distress this may have caused his former patients and their families.

The GMC struck Mr Neale off last year

"A high-level investigation has looked into this incident and recommendations are being acted upon to prevent similar inappropriate appointments in the future.

"We can reassure the public that Richard Neale was employed in a very junior position and was not involved in direct contact with patients.

"Nevertheless, it was an insensitive appointment and we are aware that it must not be repeated."

Bungled

This week Mr Neale, 54, told the BBC that he still hoped to return to work in the NHS.

He apologised to the women whose care he had bungled, but said it would be a waste of his skills if he were not allowed to continue working in the NHS in an administrative capacity.

He said that he knew a decision on his career would have to be taken by the Department of Health, but he hoped to continue working within the NHS.

Mr Neale, who was already banned from working in Canada, was struck off the medical register by the GMC, after nearly 15 years of botched operations.

Most of the incidents happened at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

He also worked in Leicester and at the private Portland Hospital, in London.

Patient

Sheila Wright-Hogeland, a former patient of Neale who heads a support group for victims, welcomed the apology but said there were still questions unanswered.

"It's better than no apology but they don't say how high level an investigation it was.

"I appreciate the fact they have actually apologised, it's more than the Department of Health have done.

"But it doesn't explain how he was appointed in the first place."

Mrs Wright-Hogeland called for a public inquiry.

She also wants changes in the law to prevent struck off doctors from working in any capacity within the NHS.