'Dr. Death' behaved 'erratically' in difficult situations, says colleague

Brisbane, Feb.25 (ANI): Controversial Indian-born surgeon, Dr. Jayant Patel a.k.a 'Dr. Death', who is currently facing a committal hearing into allegations of manslaughter over the deaths of two patients, had outdated medical knowledge, and was 'erratic' in when things went wrong inside his operation theater, the Brisbane Magistrates Court has learnt.

"If (there were) some problems (he) became a bit erratic," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Dr Dieter Berens, as saying.

Dr. Berens was an anaesthetist at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in 2004.

"He became more uneasy and at times started to lose his temper when that sort of thing happened," Berens added.

He told the court that Patel's medical knowledge regarding some issues were 'outdated'.

Patel was not sure about when to give blood to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), Berens said.

Patel, 58, is facing 14 charges, including manslaughter, fraud and grievous bodily harm, relating to his time as the Bundaberg Base Hospital's director of surgery from April 2003 until April 2005. (ANI)