Professor Henry Woo shuts down Twitter account after trolling from Dr Charlie Teo supporters

A Sydney surgeon has shut down his Twitter account after being trolled over his comments about high fees for Dr Charlie Teo’s services.

The Sydney surgeon who raised concerns about controversial brain surgeon Dr Charlie Teo has shut down his Twitter account after being trolled over his comments.

Professor Henry Woo wrote that would he would be taking a break from Twitter this morning saying “I never expected trolling to be of this magnitude”.

He said he was also getting hate mail and abusive phone calls.

The backlash came after the top urological surgeon questioned the “disturbing” trend of people launching online fundraising campaigns so they could be treated by Dr Teo.

“Something is seriously wrong if a terminally ill girl with a brain tumour has to raise $120,000 to have surgery Dr Charlie Teo has offered to do for $60,000-$80,000,” he wrote. “If it was valid surgery, it could/should be performed in the public system under Medicare.

“I find this really disturbing.”

Prof Woo pointed to 113 GoFundMe campaigns, with some people raising more than $120,000 for surgery.

Dr Teo is one of Australia’s best surgeons and has built a career on performing risky operations that others won’t do, making him a loved figure among many.

Yesterday he defended the high fees he charges during a tense interview on the Today show and said all the money did not go to him.

The surgeon performs procedures at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Private Hospital and noted that the hospital had to account to its shareholders and make a profit.

“So, for example, that $120,000 bill that Henry Woo is talking about, $80,000 (goes) to the private hospital,’’ Dr Teo told Today host Georgie Gardner.

RELATED: Inside Aussie neurosurgeon’s controversial career

Charlie Teo is hailed as one of Australia’s best brain surgeons.

Prominent Sydney cancer specialist Professor Henry Woo

“$40,000 then gets dispersed among not only the surgeon, the assistant, anaesthetist, pathologist, radiologist, radiographer. It is not that great an amount to each individual person, when you get your facts straight,” he said.

In that particular scenario Dr Teo said he would get $8000.

He suggested Prof Woo should focus on his own work.

“Get back to your lab, try and find a cure for prostate cancer. I will try and find a cure for brain cancer, thank you,” Dr Teo said.

Many of Dr Teo’s supporters have also jumped to his defence.

Charlie Teo operated on my mother’s brain tumor when no one else would. She went to Sydney from Melbourne for his services. She is still here and going well years later. God bless Charlie Teo!

— Grace & Truth (@Graceandtruth77) May 29, 2019

Stop treating Professor Teo as the villian. He performs where others dont dare to go. Maybe if there was not such a hugh purple circle in surgery things would be different. Use your skills for good and stop being a keyboard warrior.

— Mr Mac. (@mac77_mr) May 29, 2019

Be careful with your assumptions. The system may have flaws but that is not Teo's fault. Make sure your 'discussion points' don't denigrate a skilled and compassionate surgeon who is not in it for money.

— Deb Egan (@DeborahJEgan) May 28, 2019

I find you disturbing . Why is it so hard to believe that Dr Teo is an amazing , talented surgeon. The best Australia has. You would rather see these people die? The problem lies with our medical profession and their pride. We have an amazing surgeon and your crucifying him.

— zelka govich (@govicj) May 29, 2019

Others said they had emailed Prof Woo to demand he issue a public apology.

This @DrHWoo should be ashamed of himself with the angst and waste of time he has caused. Respect the right's of the individual to choose! He should be sued for his defamatory inferences but unlike him Charlie Teo doesn't have time to divert from his patients!

— Cr Vincent De Luca OAM (@VincentGDeLuca) May 28, 2019

I made a call to dr woo today and he did not have any intelligent answers! How dare he insult a person who save so many life’s that our ridiculous public health system won’t help! Grow up dr woo jealousy is so unattractive

— Vanessa (@Vanessa52966616) May 29, 2019

But others also supported Prof Woo and said he had made valid comments.

Well done Henry. Sorry you had to cop the abuse. This topic needed to be brought out into the open.

— DrChrisMerry (@drchrismerry) May 29, 2019

You raised very legitimate concerns. These are really important discussions to be having. I’m sorry you are experiencing abuse due to it.

— 💧Rachael Coutts (@rpcounat) May 29, 2019

I can’t believe some of the comments against Prof Woo. They were just vile. I’m glad he didn’t respond to the trolls. He did the right thing in highlighting what he observed on GoFundMe - it’s a very disturbing trend

— Yumiko Kadota (@mindbodymiko) May 30, 2019