Indian-origin surgeon in Aus barred from practising medicine

An Indian-origin surgeon in Australia has been barred from practising medicine after he was found to have lied in his job application about his professional competence, a media report said today.

Queensland's Civil and Administrative Tribunal banned former Bundaberg Hospital surgeon Jayant Patel from practising medicine after it was found that Patel lied to be registered and concealed matters which questioned his suitability.

Judge Horneman-Wren said Patel's competence to perform complex surgeries had been found to be lacking and he must never be registered as a practitioner in the medical health profession, ABC online reported.

Patel was convicted and jailed in 2010 for killing three patients and causing grievous bodily harm to the fourth patient at Bundaberg Hospital, but won a High Court challenge against his conviction and was released from jail in 2012.

Patel pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud in relation to dishonestly obtaining registration and employment in Queensland in November 2013.

He was sentenced to two years in jail for fraud, wholly suspended.

Meanwhile, the Medical Board of Australia said it will advise international medical regulators about the findings against Patel.