Upkeep of "Dr. Death" costing Queenslanders 109 dollars a day

Sydney, Aug.20 : Queensland taxpayers are forking out 109 dollars a day for the upkeep of Dr. Jayant Patel, even as his case is in court.

Queensland Police Minister Judy Spence today revealed the figure, following opposition concern about a possible cost blowout, reports news.com.au.

Spence said the figure was below the 172 dollars it costs to keep a prisoner.

Patel faces 14 charges, including three of manslaughter, from his time as a surgeon at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in the state's southeast between 2003 and 2005.

He was released on bail to an undisclosed address on July 22 after Brisbane magistrate Brian Hine said it could take at least 12 months for the case to reach trial.

ANI