Charlie Teo to work in China as family of victim speaks out after guilty verdict about his conduct

Controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has stated that he will soon leave the country to perform brain surgery in China, as the family of one of his patients has spoken out.

A professional standards committee determined Wednesday that surgeries performed by Dr. Teo had “disastrous” consequences, limiting the doctor’s record in her decision.

The committee found that Teo had failed to outline the true risks of his surgeries, which were described as “experimental,” and that he had acted unethically by failing to obtain informed consent from his patients before surgery.

Teo has since revealed that he has been given privileges in China and will take his work to hospitals there.

“The fact that I was crucified here didn’t seem to influence their decision, so I’m going over there to check the facilities, to make sure they’re good, they just bought me the latest MRI,” he said against the Daily telegram.

Dr. Teo said he chose China because they were “committed to me” and would also continue to conduct occasional operations in Europe and parts of Southeast Asia.

Dr. Teo said he was disappointed “but not surprised” by the conditions placed on his practice, but would “never” accept not getting proper clearance or lacking empathy for his patients.

“I’m not guilty of what I’m accused of, I repudiate what they say I did, they just don’t believe me, so why should I repent for something I deny?” he said.

Meanwhile, the devastated family of one of Teo’s patients, Ellie Middleton, has broken their silence about how Teo’s surgery has changed their lives.

Ms Middleton’s sister, Sarah Bone, a hairdresser from Molong, told the The Sydney Morning Herald that she wished “Charlie Teo would come to our house and take care of my sister for one day.”

Ellie Middleton was 20 when Teo performed surgery to remove a brain tumor

In December 2008, Teo told the then 20-year-old and her family that if Ellie were his daughter, he would definitely have the surgery to remove her brain tumor that other neurosurgeons had said was inoperable.

The surgery was a disaster and Ellie has been confined to a wheelchair for the past 15 years and requires 24-hour care.

Her family said she can’t walk, talk or feed herself and is now blind.

“She has no quality of life, none,” her mother Vicki said.

At the age of seven, Ellie was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a slow-growing brain tumor that was considered inoperable due to its location.

Ellie had persuaded her family to take her to Sydney to see the famous neurosurgeon, despite the family’s hesitation about his ability to operate successfully.

“I remember Charlie saying, if it was my daughter, I’d do the surgery,” said Ellie’s sister.

Teo has hinted he is considering appealing the research finding that effectively ended his career in Australia.

“I could appeal, I think I would win. They would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the things they have accused me of because they are not true, he said.

“But I’m not sure I have the strength to appeal. Besides, I don’t have the money for that.’

Teo (pictured left with partner) said he is considering appealing the commission’s findings

The Professional Standards Committee found Teo guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct over an “inappropriate” conversation with a patient’s daughter, an exorbitant fee he charged and other consent complaints.

He was found telling a patient’s daughter, “You’re asking the wrong f****** question,” and “Would I do it all over again?” F****** oath I would. You should be thankful.’

Teo appeared before the Medical Professional Standards Committee in February with complaints that he decided to operate on two patients where the risk of surgery outweighed the potential benefits of the surgery.

It was also alleged that he failed to obtain informed consent from the patients before surgery, improperly charged a $35,000 fee to one patient, and spoke inappropriately to that patient’s daughter after surgery.

In its decision announced Wednesday, the commission said it “considered these elements of the complaint to be proven.”

Restrictions have been placed on Teo, including the requirement to obtain written approval from a Medical Board-approved neurosurgeon with at least 15 years of experience as a registered specialist in neurosurgery before performing “malignant intracranial tumor and brainstem tumor surgical procedures.”