This is one of three Inquiries announced in June 2001 by the former Health Secretary, Alan Milburn.

John Reid said:

"It is completely unacceptable that these events were allowed to happen. No patient should be left in a position where those in charge of their care are able to abuse their trust and take advantage. My sympathies go to the patients involved in this case.

Since these events have come to light, we have taken a number of steps to help avoid similar incidents in the future. These include substantial changes to the NHS Complaints Procedure and the development of guidance to Trusts on how to handle untoward incidents.

Issues around complaints are also being considered by the Shipman Inquiry, which is likely to produce recommendations in its fifth report due later this year. We will therefore consider these recommendations together with those of the Shipman and Neale Inquiries and give a detailed response in due course.

We have made clear that patient safety is a priority and the UK has led the way in pushing forward in this area. Tomorrow, I will be talking to fellow EU health ministers about the lessons EU members can learn from one other and make clear that patient safety will be a key issue during the UK presidency of the EU next year".

Related links

Committee of Inquiry - independent investigation into how the NHS handled allegations about the conduct of Clifford Ayling

Notes to editor

1. A full copy of the report and a copy of the written ministerial statement can be found at the link above.

2. Clifford Ayling, a GP from Folkestone, Kent, was convicted on 20 December 2000 of carrying out indecent assaults on women patients. He was sent to prison for four years and his name placed indefinitely on the sex offenders register under the Sex Offenders Act 1997. On 15 June 2001, the Professional Conduct Committee of the General Medical Council determined that Clifford Ayling should be erased from the Medical Register.

3. The Three Inquiries were announced in June 2001 - Ayling, Neale and Kerr and Haslam, which is looking at how the NHS handled allegations into the conduct of two psychiatrists.

4. Media enquiries only to Vicky Wyatt on 020 7210 5656.

UK dept of Health

Huge database of hospitals world wide .