‘Can only hope’: Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo requests end to Aussie operating ban
After launching a fresh appeal to lift a ban stopping him from performing brain surgeries in Australia, Charlie Teo has made a big call about his future.
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Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has asked medical authorities to lift the restrictions which effectively are stopping him from performing brain surgeries in Australia.
In a letter prepared by his lawyers Dr Teo has asked the Medical Council of NSW to lift the conditions that require him to obtain written support from a neurosurgeon approved by the Medical Council of New South Wales for any neurosurgery involving “recurring malignant tumours of the brain or brain stem gliomas”.
The decision came in the wake of findings from the Health Care Complaints Commission that Dr Teo recommended surgery for two patients where the professional standards committee thought the risk of surgery outweighed the potential benefits and obtaining consents that were “too optimistic”.
Since the restrictions were imposed Dr Teo has been working in many countries abroad including China, Spain, Germany, India and Switzerland, Peru and South Africa and successfully removing tumours that many international colleagues considered inoperable.
Dozens of Australian patients have travelled abroad to have Dr Teo treat them including Australian mother of six Tanya Miles who was diagnosed with the deadliest of all cancers Glioblastoma - in her case a recurrent and progressive tumour, exactly the type of surgery that landed him in strife with Australian medical authorities.
Mrs Miles said she was so relieved she listened to her gut and was “angry” she couldn’t have made the same choice in her home country.
She says she now has the best possible chance of spending years, not weeks, with her six children.
In his lengthy material supplied to the Medical Board, Dr Teo says he has completed 236 surgeries abroad, of which the results of 202 patients were classed as excellent, 28 as good “good” (expected deficit or minor complication).
Four were considered “fair” (unexpected deficit or major complication), none “poor” (devastating outcomes from surgery) and two mortalities (death within 40 days of surgery).
Dr Teo told news.com.au his surgeries were all performed under supervision by a senior neurosurgeon in the respective countries.
“I’ve done exactly what was asked of me in Australia albeit abroad and not by choice but by necessity,” Dr Teo said.
“The supervising neurosurgeons have been extremely impressed with my results and I guess I have even surprised myself
“Look neurosurgery itself is high risk. Add to that operating on some of the most difficult tumours in the world and knowing that your colleagues’ knives are poised at your back, I’m actually pretty proud of myself for performing optimally with that much pressure.
“Now that I have been able to focus on the real enemy, brain cancer, and not be stressed by potential vilification and persecution is a Godsend.”
Dr Teo said he is fighting for the restrictions to be lifted mostly on principle.
“I may not necessarily get a job back here which would be a real shame for Australian brain cancer and brain tumour patients.
“But I am hopeful that one day some of my fellow neurosurgeons will put patient care above politics.
“Having the restrictions lifted may be the catalyst.”
Dr Teo still works tirelessly to raise money for brain cancer research, and will be in the country for the Rebel Ball on May 31, which will be attended by many of his patients including Ms Miles, who is doing well and will travel to Sydney from interstate.
The Medical Council of NSW cannot by law comment on any matters that may be before it or referred to it.
A spokesman said the Council can only share information where it has made a decision regarding a restrictions or changes to a practitioner’s conditions and those details are published on the national Register of Practitioners.
The spokesman pointed to the Professional Standards Committee Inquiry and Decision handed down in July 2023 which made findings of unprofessional conduct and imposed conditions on this practitioner’s registration.
Cydonee Mardon is a former patient of Dr Charlie Teo.
Originally published as ‘Can only hope’: Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo requests end to Aussie operating ban
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