A consultant at a troubled North Yorkshire hospital has been sacked over allegations that he had an affair with a woman patient.

The Northallerton Health Services Trust announced its board had dismissed consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Neil Hebblethwaite from the Friarage Hospital after "a full and thorough internal disciplinary inquiry" into a complaint from an individual patient.

The woman concerned has also complained to the General Medical Council, which is considering the situation.

She said the decision to sack the consultant had vindicated her decision to make the complaint.

Mr Hebblethwaite's dismissal comes a little over two months after disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale, who worked at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital from 1985 to 1995, was struck off by the GMC after being found guilty of 34 counts of serious professional misconduct.

The trust said in Mr Hebblethwaite's case the details of the complaint and finding were not being revealed due to confidentiality rules.

But following its investigation it did not believe the circumstances found applied to any of his other patients.

Trust chief executive Tony Bruce said: "The trust is aware that it has today dismissed a committed and respected consultant who, to date, held an exemplary employment record.

"However, given the findings of the disciplinary procedure, dismissal was the only appropriate response."

Mr Bruce said the matters investigated by the trust related to "particular events in particular circumstances relating to a particular patient".

"His other patients have no need to be concerned about the treatment they received," he said.

Mr Hebblethwaite now has 14 days in which to appeal.

Mr Bruce added: "Arrangements are being put in place to ensure that this important service continues and that any ladies with concerns, following this decision, are properly heard and responded to."

The trust said the investigation found no evidence that any of his other patients had cause to be concerned about the quality of care they had received - but any concerned patients should in the first instance contact the trust's director of nursing, Pat Martin, on 01609 763907 to discuss any issues.

Mr Hebblethwaite had worked at the Friarage as a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology since 1993, leading its work in gynaecological cancer and minimally invasive surgery.