Nation’s top neurosurgeons back ‘brilliant’ Charlie Teo

Leading neurosurgeons have spoken out in support of Charlie Teo, saying he makes well-balanced decisions that are aligned to the patients’ best interests. His ex-wife is also in his corner.

Leading neurosurgeons have spoken out in support of Charlie Teo, saying he makes well-balanced decisions that are aligned to the patients’ best interests.

Melbourne-based neurosurgeon Ales Aliashkevich, who consults regularly with Dr Teo over complicated cases, said he found his approach to be “very reasonable and down-to-earth”.

“His recommendations were always well-balanced and aligned with the patient’s best interest,” said Dr Aliashkevich said. “Charlie is a neurosurgeon that takes on very difficult cases. Nobody says their results are always perfect. If someone didn’t have complications and bad outcomes and patients dying they I would say they just didn’t operate enough and have long experience.

“All neurosurgeons who have practised for 10 to 15 years have a number of bad outcomes; it doesn’t mean they should practise.

Neurosurgeon Dr Ralph Mobbs has backed Charlie Teo.

“On the contrary. It’s a learning curve. The more you do the more you learn. If you have a bad outcome it’s about how you learn from it and go forward.

“Any sort of hearing should be to see whether a doco has made conclusions, learnt from the bad outcomes and grown and learnt from bad cases wherever they can.”

Dr Aliashkevich’s comments come on the eve of Dr Teo’s scheduled evidence before the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), where he is defending his handling of two cases and allegations he does not properly warn the patient of the risks and was too optimistic in speaking about chances of recovery. The hearing is examining multiple complaints surrounding two operations Dr Teo performed — one on a 41-year-old woman from Perth in October 2018 and the other was an operation on a 61-year-old woman from Geelong in 2018. Neither patients woke from the surgery and both later died. Kate Richardson SC, representing the Health Care Complaints Commission, told the Professional Standards Committee hearing she was seeking a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct, a reprimand and the placing of conditions on Teo’s medical registration. Dr Teo, who wants the restrictions lifted, denies any wrongdoing.

Sydney-based colleague and Professor of Neurosurgery Ralph Mobbs yesterday described the “biased negativity and vilification” of Dr Teo as “relentless and unnecessary”.

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo arriving at the Health Care Complaints Commission Professional Standards Committee Inquiry in Sydney. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Intensive Care Specialist at Prince of Wales Hospital, David Bihari also spoke in support of Dr Teo.

“Over the last 20 years, together, we have looked after many patients in the ICUs after their brain surgery. I consider Charlie to be a brilliant brain surgeon, a kind and considerate person, and a great colleague to work with.

“I have always admired the close relationships he has established with his patients and their families. I consider him to be highly professional and he has always treated his patients with great compassion.”

FORMER WIFE STILL IN CHARLIE’S CORNER

Neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo and former wife Genevieve.

The former wife of Charlie Teo has shown unwavering support for the controversial neurosurgeon whose “bravery” has inspired not just his patients, but also his four daughters.

“A trial by media is not a pleasant thing to watch, especially when it’s the father of your children. I wish it wasn’t so,” said Genevieve Teo said, who was married to Dr Teo for almost 30 years.

“Having witnessed this relentless campaign to destroy him over their lifetimes, I’m proud to say their concern is still for all the beautiful patients they’ve met along the way.

“Whatever the outcome of the hearing, they witnessed extraordinary bravery from patients and their dad and they’re much better people for it.

Cydonee Mardon is a former patient of Dr Teo