“Dr. Death” Jayant Patel removed patient’s colon without proper investigation, court told
March 24th, 2010 - 12:55 pm ICT by ANIBrisbane, Mar. 24 (ANI): Former Indian-origin surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel a.k.a. “Dr. Death” was too quick to remove a patient’s colon without adequate investigation over his cancer concerns, the Brisbane Supreme Court has been told.
Dr Marthinus Nel told the court that he referred one of his patients, Mervyn John Morris, for further tests after he became concerned he might have cancer.
Dr Nel ordered a number of tests on Morris in early 2003 after the patient complained of weight loss following radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
“I have real concerns that this man is harbouring a malignancy which is responsible for his loss of appetite, loss of weight and his obstructive liver biochemistry,” News.com.su quoted Dr Nel as saying in a letter of referral to the Bundaberg Hospital in March 2003.
He told the court he was concerned the man was having a problem of that nature and it needed to be further investigated.
However, the public prosecutors say, Dr Patel failed to adequately investigate these concerns before removing part of the colon of Morris, who later died.
Dr Nel, who had been Morris’s general practitioner since 2000, said he never had any discussions with Dr Patel about Morris’ condition.
Dr Patel has pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane to the manslaughter of Morris and two other patients, Gerry Kemps and James Edward Phillips.
He has also pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Ian Rodney Vowles.
The charges relate to Dr Patel’s time as director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.
Earlier, the Court was told that Dr. Patel was disciplined by an American medical body in August 2000 for “gross acts of negligence.” (ANI)
- India-born doctor 'failed to investigate' cancer concerns - Mar 24, 2010
- Dr. Death's claim that dead patient's bowel was cancerous not true, says pathologist - Mar 30, 2010
- 'Dr Death' Jayant Patel's lawyers lodge appeal in manslaughter case - Jul 15, 2010
- India-born doctor caused three deaths, Australian court told - Mar 22, 2010
- Oz prosecutor says `Dr. Death' was 'a bad surgeon' - Jun 15, 2010
- 'Dr. Death' Patel was competent for oesophagectomy operations: Defence counsel - Jun 21, 2010
- Jury deliberates for fifth day on Patel manslaughter trial - Jun 27, 2010
- Indian-origin doctor guilty of manslaughter in Australia - Jun 29, 2010
- Oz prosecutor says `Dr. Death's' surgeries were 'out of the loop' - Jun 16, 2010
- Indian-origin doctor called his hospital third world country - May 11, 2010
- Extended jail term sought for Indian-origin doctor - Jul 20, 2010
- "Dr. Death" Jayant Patel faced disciplinary action in US in 2000: Brisbane SC told - Mar 23, 2010
- Brisbane SC to hear Justice John before deciding on Dr. Death's fate - Jun 22, 2010
- 'Dr. Death' Jayant Patel moved to new jail in Brisbane - Jul 05, 2010
- Surgery by "Dr. Death" Jayant Patel led to patient's death, court told - Mar 26, 2010
Tags: appetite loss, bundaberg base hospital, dr death, dr jayant patel, edward phillips, general practitioner, grievous bodily harm, gross acts, indian origin, kemps, letter of referral, loss of appetite, malignancy, manslaughter, medical body, negligence, proper investigation, prostate cancer, public prosecutors, radiation treatment for prostate cancer