Qld: Former Patel patients seek compo inquiry

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2008
Qld: Former Patel patients seek compo inquiry

BRISBANE, April 29 AAP - Patients of former Queensland surgeon Jayant Patel are visiting
state parliament today to call for an inquiry into compensation.

Patel, a former surgeon at Bundaberg hospital in southern Queensland, is in custody
in the United States while a court considers his extradition to Australia on manslaughter
charges.

The Queensland government has paid out almost 300 claims to former patients of Patel
through a special process.

But a number remain outstanding, while others have been rejected.

Bundaberg Burnett Patient Support Group president Ian Fleming said the process was
flawed and an inquiry is needed.

"We want a judicial inquiry ... into this whole affair to fully and fairly investigate
the whole compensation process and the way it's been handled," Mr Fleming said.

The patients are also seeking an update from Attorney-General Kerry Shine on the extradition
of Patel.

AAP pjo/jfm/bwl

KEYWORD: PATEL

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