Controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo says he is facing the prospect of a permanent ban from practising medicine in Australia, warning the move could have “dangerous ramifications” for the country’s healthcare system.
The world-renowned specialist revealed he returned home from working overseas two weeks ago to find auditors examining his patient files, amid concerns he may have breached strict conditions imposed on his practice.
If struck off, Professor Teo could be prohibited from providing even general medical advice in Australia – with potential criminal consequences if he does.
“I knew what I was walking into,” he said. “I think this might be the final nail in the coffin.”
Professor Teo has been operating under strict limitations since August 2021, following a 2023 finding by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission that he engaged in “unsatisfactory professional conduct”.
The ruling related to two surgeries performed in 2018 and 2019 involving aggressive removal of malignant brain tumours. Both patients experienced complications and later died. The commission found the risks of surgery outweighed potential benefits and that adequate informed consent was not obtained.
As part of the conditions, Professor Teo must seek written approval from an independent neurosurgeon for certain high-risk procedures and maintain detailed records for review by regulators.
He has not performed surgery in Australia since those restrictions were introduced.
Professor Teo believes the latest audit will focus on alleged poor record keeping and claims he provided medical advice to Australian patients while in Australia – including recommending surgery that would ultimately take place overseas.
“The auditors were at least kind enough to tell me… that in their opinion, I have breached my conditions,” he said.
He acknowledged his record keeping had once been “abysmal” but maintains authorities have been unable to fault his surgical decisions or skills.
“They’ve never been able to charge me for improper surgery… They’ve always got me for these other things.”
Despite restrictions, Professor Teo said he continues to receive daily requests from patients, many of whom travel abroad to undergo procedures.
Since late 2021, he has performed 324 cranial surgeries across multiple countries, reporting the majority resulted in positive outcomes. Of 28 Australian patients treated overseas, he said many had previously been deemed inoperable, with several still alive beyond initial prognoses.
News.com.au has confirmed that families of three patients treated in China – now under review – have no complaints about his care and are frustrated their cases are being scrutinised.
Professor Teo argued regulators were targeting him for reasons beyond clinical performance.
“In fact, my greatest detractors have called me a talented surgeon,” he said. “This is because of who I am, not because of my neurosurgical skills.”
He warned the case could discourage other doctors from taking necessary risks.
“I think the whole level of medicine in Australia has suffered… Good doctors, excellent surgeons, are not taking risks they otherwise would.”
In contrast to his situation in Australia, Professor Teo said he has been welcomed by medical institutions overseas, particularly in China.
Ling Feng, Deputy Director of the China International Neuroscience Institute, said she did not believe the Australian findings reflected a lack of care.
“It is just a different view of the indications for surgery,” she said. “I thank Australia for the restrictions… which gave me the opportunity to work with him.”
Professor Teo said he would prefer to continue treating Australians but may be forced to remain overseas if banned locally.
“I’m Australian, I love Australians… I would love to continue saving Australian lives,” he said.
While Professor Teo insists he will “be okay” regardless of the outcome, he described the possibility of being unable to practise in Australia as deeply disappointing.
Keeping him from operating locally, he said, would ultimately be “really sad for Australians”.
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