“Dr. Death” Jayant Patel removed patient’s colon without proper investigation, court told

BRISBANE - 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)