QLD: Patel operation unnecessary: court

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2009
QLD: Patel operation unnecessary: court

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Feb 19 AAP - Jayant Patel fell short of competent medical practice when he
wrongly diagnosed and performed an unnecessary operation on a man who later died, a court
has been told.

Bundaberg Base Hospital patient Mervyn Morris, 76, died in June 2003 after Patel performed
two operations to try to stop bleeding in his bowel.

Colo-rectal expert Dr Brian Collopy told the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday
that the bleeding could have been treated with iron tablets, cortisone and occasional
blood transfusions.

He said Patel, 58, incorrectly diagnosed the source of the bleeding and unnecessarily
removed part of the colon.

This was an "inappropriate" and "over-aggressive" response, Dr Collopy said.

"Yes, there was an incorrect diagnosis of the cause of the bleeding leading to the
performance of an operation that was inappropriate," Dr Collopy told the court.

"Was his treatment in accordance with competent medical practice?" prosecutor David
Meredith asked.

"I do not believe so," Dr Collopy replied.

Patel has been charged with Mr Morris's manslaughter, as well as that of two other patients.

He faces another 10 charges relating to his time as director of surgery at the hospital
between 2003 and 2005.

The hearing continues.

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KEYWORD: PATEL

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