Patient operated upon by Patel died after surgery

In continuing deposition on Patel's competency, a Brisbane court was shown the death certificate of 75-year-old patient Mervyn Morris that was completed by Patel's assistant Emma Igras, who conducted the initial operation with him.

The certificate disclosed that the cause of Morris' death was respiratory failure brought on by liver problems and poor nutrition and those were noted as being a result of the colostomy performed by Patel.

Morris died three weeks after Patel removed part of his colon during an operation at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in June 2003.

Igras told the court that Morris' condition initially seemed to improve following the second operation, despite some rectal bleeding. However, the court was told his health deteriorated and he died few days later.

Patel has pleaded not guilty to Morris' manslaughter, as well as in the death of two other patients, and the grievous bodily harm of another man.
The charges relate to Patel's time as director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.