Oz doctor says if knew `Dr. Death's' past history, he wouldn't have hired him

Brisbane, Feb.9 (ANI): A senior doctor at the Bundaberg Hospital in Queensland has said that he would not have hired Indian-born Dr. Jayant Patel in 2003 had he been aware of the details of his medical career in the United States.

Dr Kees Nydam, who was the acting director of medical services at the Bundaberg Base Hospital, recruited Patel, 58, to fill the position of director of surgery.

He told the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday that Patel had never told him he had been the subject of a number of investigations and disciplinary procedures in the US.

The court was told Patel applied for a job in Bundaberg late in 2002, telling an Australian recruitment agency he was bored and looking for a change.

Prosecutor Ross Martin said Patel told the agency he had been a highly successful surgeon in the US and had earned enough to retire early, but instead decided to come to Australia.

Dr Nydam said Patel had told him on the phone he wanted "an opportunity to give back to the community anywhere in the world in regards to a career that had given him a good life".

He didn't reveal, the court was told, that he had been forced to resign from his position in Oregon because of medical negligence, and had had his licence cancelled in New York state.

Dr Nydam said Patel never mentioned this in correspondence leading up to his employment, and that he would not have been hired if he had.

"I would not have employed him," Dr Nydam said.

Patel faces 14 charges including three of manslaughter, two of grievous bodily harm, eight fraud, as well as one alternative charge of negligent acts causing harm.

There are 150 witnesses listed to give evidence at the committal hearing but only 74 are expected to be required for cross examination.

The hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian Hine is expected to last at least three weeks. (ANI)