Renal specialist denies recommending ‘Dr. Death’ Patel for performing surgery

BRISBANE - A renal specialist has strenuously denied recommending Indian-origin Dr. Jayant Patel for performing an allegedly fatal operation on a seriously unwell patient.

Under cross-examination in the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday, The Age quoted Dr. Peter Miach said he could not recall ever asking Patel to assess James Edward Phillips for an oesophagectomy at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in early 2003.

“I have no recollection of that … it’s unlikely I would have done that,” said Dr. Miach, who had been treating Mr. Phillips for kidney problems at the time.

Dr. Miach said he also could not recall ever discussing the operation, which the Crown is alleging was responsible for Phillips’s death - with hospital staff, or being involved in creating a post-operative care plan.

He also said an assertion made by Mr Phillips’s sister in a letter to the Health Rights Commission that he had made the recommendation for an oesophagectomy was “incorrect”.

Dr. Miach told the court he would never have made this recommendation because of reasons he outlined earlier in the trial.

On Monday, Dr. Miach said Mr Phillips, 46, had too many other major health issues in May 2003 to be a suitable candidate for the oesophagectomy.

Patel, 60, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Phillips and two other men, as well as the grievous bodily harm of another man.

The trial continues. (ANI)