'Dr Death' Fiasco Could Have Been Avoided

Dr Glasson said the AMA has confirmed today that at no time was the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) asked to make checks on the professional qualifications and experience of Dr Jayant Patel. This is despite agreed protocols that require the College to assess overseas trained specialists applying for Area of Need appointments.

"On the face of it, it appears that Queensland Health has been able to circumvent this process, with disastrous results," Dr Glasson said.

"The Medical Boards are not adequately resourced to select doctors with the appropriate skills and background to fill Area of Need appointments, nor can they deliver the ongoing support and supervision that overseas trained doctors often require.

"Overseas trained doctors seeking these positions must pass a College assessment and then be subject to ongoing supervision and mentoring from the College.

"This is the only way that patients, communities and the doctors themselves can benefit.

"It is important that the Medical Boards follow the recommendations of the professional medical Colleges, whatever the specialty.

"Only the Colleges have the capacity to make judgements on a doctor's qualifications, skills and experience and their ability to practice safely.

"In this case, the Medical Board did not thoroughly check Dr Patel's qualifications, let alone his medical history in the United States.

"It is clear that a shake-up is needed but it is a shame that it took a scandal to show up the deficiencies in the system.

"The call from some quarters for all overseas trained doctors to pass the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exam is not the solution. It is not designed to be a credible tool for assessing doctors who are seeking positions that require advanced surgical skills," Dr Glasson said.