Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo will defend his practices over the subsequent 5 days as a disciplinary listening to will get underway.
Teo turned a star surgeon for performing neurosurgery on most cancers sufferers who've been instructed by different docs they've inoperable tumours.
In August 2021, the Well being Care Complaints Fee (HCCC) investigated Teo's practices ensuing within the NSW Medical Council invoking practising restrictions.
Beneath these restrictions, Teo was unable to function with out the approval of one other physician who deems the affected person conscious of the danger and is financially knowledgeable.
It got here after critical complaints and allegations about his determination to hold out some surgical procedures.
Teo denies any wrongdoing.
The surgeon was flanked by fellow high-profile supporters together with former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, whose spouse was Teo's affected person, and boxer Anthony Mundine as he arrived for the primary day of hearings.
"Charlie's an important Australian, he saved my spouse's life and he is a very good mate. He is a genius at what he does and I am right here to assist him," Waugh mentioned.
Survivors of Teo's surgical procedures additionally flocked outdoors the listening to to point out their assist to the surgeon.
"I got here to Australia and he saved my life," former affected person Andrew Magar mentioned outdoors court docket.
One other affected person, Joanna McNiven, mentioned: "After the operation, I used to be instructed I in all probability had about two or three months at most to reside and I am nonetheless right here."
In a speech outdoors the listening to, Teo mentioned he was wanting ahead to having his say within the formal setting after allegations have been levelled at him of offering false hope and exorbitant charges to sufferers.
"It is unhappy we're on this scenario. I imply I would a lot fairly be working on a Monday," Teo mentioned outdoors court docket.
"I am actually hoping that what we'll see over the subsequent few days is equity, justice and fact come out."
Throughout immediately's listening to, headed by a former household court docket decide and two neurosurgeons, the member of the family of a former affected person gave proof after his liked one was given as much as 18 months to reside with an incurable mind tumour.
The pair flew to Sydney in a determined bid for the well-known physician's assist.
"We have been grabbing on to any hope that we might," the tribunal was instructed.
"That is why we went to see him… he laid out a map that was fairly inviting."
The fee heard the pair had already seen two medical specialists interstate and a probably dangerous surgical procedure had been refused.
A referral was additionally refused.
In cross-examination, the witness instructed the fee that Teo talked with confidence and "bought us a whole lot of hope".
The person alleged Teo instructed the affected person "you may make your six-year-old son's 18th birthday".
Six months after the surgical procedure, the affected person died.
The fee additionally heard the affected person was requested for $35,000 for the dangerous surgical procedure however might solely afford $10,000.
The HCCC needs Teo reprimanded and his proper to practise to be positioned below long-term circumstances.
For the subsequent 4 days, a panel will study complaints made by sufferers in opposition to Teo.
The listening to continues.
Join right hereto obtain our day by day newsletters and breaking information alerts, despatched straight to your inbox.