- Notorious brain surgeon is still operating overseas
- Is fighting to have strict rules on local surgery lifted
- READ MORE: Charlie Teo’s next move after being banished from Australia
Neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has formally requested stringent restrictions are lifted that currently limit his ability to perform brain surgery in Australia.
Currently, he is unable to perform any neurosurgery involving ‘recurring malignant tumours of the brain or brain stem gliomas’.
He is only allowed to practice if he has written support from a neurosurgeon approved by the Medical Council of NSW.
The renowned yet controversial surgeon has now appealed to the Council to remove the conditions, which have significantly limited his ability to practice locally.
In 2022, NSW Health Care Complaints Commission launched proceedings against Dr Teo after two complaints over operations which led to the deaths of two patients.
The surgeries happened at the Prince of Wales Hospital in 2018 and 2019.
Neither patient woke up afterwards and both died, one just 10 days after the procedure.
In 2023, a ruling which ran to more than 100 pages found he was guilty of ‘unsatisfactory professional conduct’ and issued a formal reprimand.
Dr Charlie Teo (pictured) will fight to have restrictions on doing surgery overturned
Four conditions were placed on his practice, with three involving tighter oversight of his records.
Despite Teo strongly opposing the restriction, the committee said it was ‘necessary to protect the health and safety of the public,’ citing his ‘isolation from his peers.’
Since the ruling, Dr Teo has continued to perform surgeries overseas, operating in countries including China, India, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, Peru and Nepal.
Speaking to 2GB on Monday, he said many Australians are now flying abroad for treatment.
‘Aussies still want me, I still want to help Aussies, but unfortunately, they are having to travel overseas,’ he said.
While Teo remains registered to operate in Australia, he claims no local surgeons are willing to provide the letter of support he needs.
He hopes that he will succeed and be able to return to performing surgery locally.
‘It would be great for Australia. It’s medical tourism, I get patients from all around the world coming to see me, they bring their families, they spend a lot of money,’ he said.
Dr Charlie Teo (centre) will
‘It’s ridiculous. I’m operating on patients from all over the world, they’re still coming to me, Australians are still coming to me.
‘So why can’t I operate on Australians in Australia?’
Dr Teo is expected to return to Sydney later this month to attend the Rebel Ball, a major fundraising event run by his charity, The Charlie Teo Foundation.
The annual event raises money for brain cancer research.
Dr Teo’s charity is backed by several prominent Australians, including Today host Karl Stefanovic, Channel Nine’s Peter Overton, and cricketer Steve Smith, who all serve on the foundation’s board according to its website.
The Medical Council of NSW declined to comment on matters currently under consideration.
