He tells how he could not find a second tumour although another doctor found one a month later
A surgeon with 45 years' experience said yesterday that even after multiple examinations he could not find a second tumour in a patient's rectum - although another surgeon found it one month later.
Pannalal Nandi was defending himself at a Medical Council disciplinary inquiry sparked by a malpractice complaint from the patient, journalist Ray Heath, who has since died.
The council heard that Dr Nandi removed one tumour in May 2003, but Heath continued to experience symptoms and consulted another surgeon later the same year.
He died of cancer in 2004 at the age of 59 after an operation to remove the second tumour. He had been undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The council concluded the hearing yesterday and will hand down a verdict later. Heath's widow, Mary, and son Andrew were at the hearing but refused to comment.