Surgeon Teo fights for reputation with star support

Farid Farid | February 13, 2023

The reputation of high-profile brain surgeon Charlie Teo is on the line as he faces a five-day disciplinary hearing at the Health Care Complaints Commission, following allegations he operated without medical oversight.

In August 2021 after an investigation by the commission, the Sydney-based neurosurgeon was restrained by the NSW Medical Council from operating without the approval of another doctor.

The embattled surgeon was flanked by prominent supporters including one-time Test cricketer Steve Waugh and his wife Lynette who is a former patient, as well as rugby league star-turned boxer Anthony Mundine.

Dr Teo is famous for performing neurosurgery on cancer patients with tumours other doctors have deemed “inoperable”, but has been accused of charging exorbitant fees and offering some patients false hope.

He has been banned from operating unless a second doctor is satisfied his patients are aware of the risks and are financially informed about their decision.

A witness from Melbourne who gave evidence at the inquiry on Monday held back tears recounting the deterioration of her mother’s health and eventual death after surgery by Dr Teo in 2019.

The witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Judge Jennifer Boland her mother developed paralysis and became wheelchair-bound.

She said even though she had reservations about the surgery, her mother decided to go ahead because Dr Teo convinced her a successful surgery on her tumour would give her “extra time to come home and spend time with her family and her grandchildren”.

“Nobody wanted to operate on mum’s tumour because it was too risky,” she said.

Her evidence included that Dr Teo was abrasive in his manner after the surgery, directing a nurse to “put her (the witness’s mother) in a bloody chair and tie the chair with sheets if you have to”.

The witness recounted a conversation with the neurosurgeon who said “I’ve got all the hope in the world … just give her some time”.

She said the conversation with Dr Teo devolved and “got nasty after that”.

The witness said Dr Teo had given the family “false hope”.

Dr Teo has consistently denied any wrongdoing. 

Towards the end of her testimony, the witness shed tears, saying “I’m getting overwhelmed here”.

As Dr Teo arrived for the hearing he was swarmed by a large media contingent and dozens of supporters clapped and hollered encouragement.

“It’s been a long road. It’s sad that we’re in this situation,” he told reporters.

“I’d much rather be operating on Monday than doing this.”

Patients such as Tammy Thompson maintain Dr Teo has always been upfront and honest about survival chances.

“I trust Teo because at no point did he sugar-coat anything. He was straight down the line,” the 50-year-old, who took a day off work and flew from central NSW to support Dr Teo, told AAP.

Dr Teo operated on her brain tumour in 2018.

“I was back at work six weeks after my operation … I’m one of those success stories and I’m upset for those (who) haven’t had the success, but what isn’t a risk in life?” she said.

Another supporter, Alan Suey, said Dr Teo saved his eight-year-old daughter’s life in 2020 when he operated on her diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma – a type of aggressive brain tumour.

“I know he’s a genuine guy and he’s done so much good. At the end day he saves lives – there are some bad outcomes and it’s unfortunate,” he told AAP.