AMAQ head backs embattled Rockhampton doctor Dr Vega Vega

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THE Queensland president of Australia’s peak medical association yesterday added his voice to the chorus of support for embattled Rockhampton surgeon Dr Anthony Vega Vega.

Speaking in Rockhampton yesterday, Australia Medical Association Queensland president Dr Shaun Rudd said it was a “terrible thing” for Dr Vega Vega to have “so much blame put on (him) when in fact he hasn’t done anything wrong”.

Dr Vega Vega’s name hit the headlines in May after he was stood down from his position at the Rockhampton Hospital by the Central Queensland Health and Hospital Services (CQHHS) board when it was alleged he removed the wrong kidney of a patient.

Health authorities have launched independent investigations.

Documents, which have been revealed in court, claim that the surgery was complicated due to the patient’s multiple major physical abnormalities.

While the Queensland Civil Administrative Tribunal overturned the urologist’s suspension by the Medical Board of Australia in June, Dr Vega Vega is still unable to practice in public hospitals.

There has been a steady flow of community and medical fraternity support for Dr Vega Vega

Dr Rudd said his members were very concerned about whether the investigation into Mr Vega Vega’s case was independent.

“It’s hard to investigate something that’s happened when the surgeon involved has already been suspended and is unable to give his side of the story,” Dr Rudd said.

“There are people around the region that could use his services. It’s up to the local area to sort their problem out, it was poor how they started out with the blame,” Dr Rudd said.

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Len Richards responded to Dr Rudd’s comments, stating that they were waiting for the results of the independent investigation into this matter.

“The independent investigator is Dr Phillip Hoyle, a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators,” Mr Richards said.

Source: The Chronicle