Board knocks back doctor’s bid to practice

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THE Medical Board of Australia has refused to allow a Rockhampton surgeon accused of involvement in four botched operations to withdraw his undertaking not to practice.

Dr Antonio Vega Vega’s barrister Stephen Keim will today file an appeal against that decision in a tribunal.

The Board suspended Spanish-trained urologist Dr Vega Vega’s registration on May 9, but after he gave an undertaking not to practice, the suspension was lifted on June 2.

The Board began an investigation after it was alleged a Rockhampton patient had the wrong kidney removed.

There are also allegations Dr Vega Vega misdiagnosed a patient’s twisted testicle, causing it to be removed, another patient’s artery was nicked and a registrar under his supervision incorrectly positioned a stent in another patient.

Dr Vega Vega was suspended by Rockhampton Hospital and voluntarily suspended himself from private practice after a patient returned to the hospital in early May complaining of kidney pain.

On Tuesday Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal was told Dr Vega Vega had asked to withdraw his undertaking not to practice until an appeal against his suspension was heard.

That appeal was scheduled to be heard in the tribunal on June 23.

Barrister Chris Wilson today said the Board met late yesterday and decided not to accept Dr Vega Vega’s request to withdraw his undertaking not to practice.

The Board had considered two expert urologists’ reports, submissions by Dr Vega Vega and four testimonials by Rockhampton doctors, filed by Dr Vega Vega’s barrister.

“The Board has not finished considering this matter,” Mr Wilson said.

He said all the material would be considered at another Board meeting next week.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren ordered Dr Vega Vega to file his application to review yesterday’s Board decision by 4pm today and adjourned the hearing.

The latest appeal by Dr Vega Vega is expected to be heard on June 23.

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