Dr. Death's patient 'too frail for surgery'

Melbourne, Apr 12 (ANI): Brisbane's Supreme Court has been told that Indian origin doctor Jayant a.k.a. Dr. Death should not have operated on a patient who was frail and suffering a number of illnesses.

The court was told Phillips was in the end stages of kidney failure, had heart problems and had recently been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Giving evidence in the Supreme Court in Brisbane today, renal specialist Dr Peter Miach said James Edward Phillips, 46, had too many other major health issues in May 2003 to be a suitable candidate for an oesophagectomy.

Dr Miach, who treated Phillips at the Bundaberg Base Hospital on a number of occasions, said he would not have supported Dr Patel's decision to operate.

"I certainly wouldn't have. He (Mr Phillips) was too frail, he had too many other conditions," News.com.au quoted Dr Miach, as saying.

Dr Miach said he would have recommended Phillips be referred to a number of specialists, including a surgeon, to determine the best course of treatment.

However, he said referring a patient to a surgeon did not mean he automatically supported the surgical option.

"It doesn't follow that asking for an opinion is a recommendation for surgery. The two don't follow at all," he said.

Dr Miach said he could not recall whether he had a discussion with Dr Patel about surgery prior to the operation on May 19.

Phillips died two days later.

Dr Patel has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Phillips and two other men, as well as the grievous bodily harm of another man. (ANI)