Qld: Closed Patel hearings 'unncessary': oppn

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2007
Qld: Closed Patel hearings 'unncessary': oppn

The Queensland opposition says it's not necessary to hold closed hearings against disgraced
surgeon JAYANT PATEL .. because most of the evidence against him has already been made
public during two major inquiries.

The Queensland Medical Board is seeking to deregister Dr PATEL over the clinical treatment
of eight patients at Bundaberg Base Hospital .. in the state's south-east .. and allegations
he misled the board about his registration.

Lawyers for Attorney-General KERRY SHINE have requested the legal proceedings be closed
to the public .. out of concerns any evidence could prejudice criminal proceedings ..

brought against Dr PATEL by police.

But opposition legal affairs spokesman MARK MCARDLE has accused the state government
of trying to conceal the matter .. despite the mountains of evidence heard during the
Morris and Davies royal commissions.







If the action is successful .. Dr PATEL faces a maximum penalty of 100 thousand dollars
.. permanent deregistration in Queensland .. and notification of the penalty to medical
registration boards worldwide.

The surgeon fled to the US in 2005 .. after allegations of medical incompetence surfaced
following his two years as director of surgery at Bundaberg Base Hospital.

He's been linked to the deaths of 17 patients .. and several warrants have been issued
for his arrest.

The federal government is working to extradite him from the US.

AAP RTV rm/tm/rt

KEYWORD: PATEL (BRISBANE)

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