‘People are alive today because of him’: Radio host unloads on ‘disgraceful decision’ to restrict neurosurgeon Charlie Teo after complaints about his work
- Sydney neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has had restrictions placed upon his work
- 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham called Medical Council’s decision ‘disgraceful’
- Dr Teo must have obtained written support from an approved neurosurgeon
- The restrictions came after an ‘immediate action’ meeting on August 19
Radio host Ben Fordham has labelled a decision to restrict the work of neurosurgeon Charlie Teo as ‘disgraceful’.
Temporary restrictions have been placed upon the renowned Sydney doctors’ medical licence after complaints were made about his work.
‘I think this is one of the most disgraceful decisions we’ve seen in a long, long time,’ Fordham said on his 2GB breakfast program on Wednesday.
‘I know people who are alive now who would not be here if it wasn’t for Dr Charlie Teo.’
‘I know people who are alive now who would not be here if it wasn’t for Dr Charlie Teo,’ 2GB host Ben Fordham said in criticising the decision to restrict Dr Teo’s licence
Fordham with friend, Jane Stacey (left), who he said was alive today because of an operation performed by Dr Teo
Fordham had previously helped raise funds and hosted functions for the Charlie Teo Foundation.
The NSW Medical Council had ordered Mr Teo to provide proof that he’s explained the financial costs and risks to patients before operating.
He is also not permitted to perform certain operations until he obtains written approval from a fellow neurosurgeon.
Fordham mentioned that one of his friends, Jane Stacey, who was operated on by Teo for a brain tumour in 2010, was alive today because of him.
‘The NSW Medical Council knows better, they know better than Jane, they know better than all the people who called in last week when we told you that this was happening,’ said Fordham.
Dr Charlie Teo (right) with Jane Stacey, who was operated on by the neurosurgeon in 2010
‘Make no mistake there’s a lot of jealousy in this industry, as there is in any industry.
‘He’s been punished because he’s prepared to operate on people who other surgeons have told there’s no hope.
‘He’s a rock star of neurosurgery and he’s saved thousands of people.’
Fordham called on the Medical Council to have another look at its decision.
The restrictions follow the Medical Council of NSW calling on Dr Teo to attend an ‘immediate action panel’ on Thursday.
Temporary restrictions have been placed upon renowned Sydney neurosurgeon Charlie Teo’s medical licence after complaints about his work, leading to a Medical Council of NSW ‘immediate action panel’ attended by Dr Teo (pictured)
It declined last week to release any further details, and the complaints levelled against the neurosurgeon have not been publicly outlined.
Dr Teo said he accepted the Medical Council’s direction to consult with another neurosurgeon on two rare types of surgery and will also have retrospective discussions with a colleague to review outcomes, in a statement provided to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The conditions published this week also allow the medical council to randomly audit Dr Teo’s records.
Amelia Millie Lucas’s parents crowdfunded $156,000 to pay her medical bills after Dr Charlie Teo said she was a good candidate for potentially life-saving surgery
The measures include a rule that Dr Teo (pictured with daughter Nicola) obtains written support from an approved neurosurgeon before performing certain types of brain tumour surgery as well as allowing the medical council to randomly audit his medical records
The high-profile doctor is well known for performing ‘last chance’ brain surgery on patients after other neurosurgeons have deemed the condition inoperable.
Dr Teo was embroiled in a public spat with colleagues in 2019 after charging one of his patients $120,000 for a life-saving operation.
He strongly denied overcharging his patients.
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