Neary patients unsure of legal situation

PATIENTS of disgraced former obstetrician Dr Michael Neary are in legal limbo over a decision by the British-based Medical Defence Union (MDU) to cease insuring him for medical negligence cases taken against him after 2003.

One of those women is Fidelma Geraghty, who was informed last week that photocopies of her files were discovered by gardaí who raided Dr Neary’s home in 2004. Those photocopies were expected to bolster her action for damages against the doctor. Photocopies of the files of a number of other women patients of Dr Neary’s were also discovered by gardaí.

Ms Geraghty, a member of Patient Focus which represents 130 former patients of the Drogheda-based consultant, said she only discovered in 2003 that the removal of her womb and ovaries should not have happened.