Qld: Patel made 'critical errors' on cancer patient: court

AAP General News (Australia)
02-23-2009
Qld: Patel made 'critical errors' on cancer patient: court

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Feb 23 AAP - Surgeon Jayant Patel made a crucial error in removing a healthy
gland instead of a tumour when treating a patient for thyroid cancer, a court has heard.

Cancer specialist Dr Geoff De Lacy on Monday told the Brisbane Magistrates Court that
Patel failed to remove a cancerous mass in the throat of Bundaberg Base Hospital patient
Darcy Blight in 2005, despite it having been pointed out to him months earlier by a junior
doctor.

The court was told Patel instead removed a healthy saliva gland …