Agonising wait for Patel case nurse

29 Aug 2012, 10:40 am   -   Source: AAP

The nurse who blew the whistle on freed former Bundaberg surgeon Jayant Patel says it's agonising waiting for a decision about any retrial.

The nurse who blew the whistle on former Bundaberg surgeon Jayant Patel says it's agonising not knowing if he'll face a new trial.

Patel on Tuesday spoke publicly for the first time since he was jailed over the deaths of three of his patients seven years ago.

He was released from jail on Friday last week after the High Court quashed his manslaughter and grievous bodily harm convictions. A decision is yet to be made on any retrial.

Patel told Seven News he believed he always did his best for his patients, and had their interests at heart.

He offered his sympathy to them, their families and his former colleagues at the Bundaberg Base Hospital for the way they'd been affected by events, including the trial.

Patel said he had faith in the Australian legal system and continued to maintain his innocence, and would not feel free until he has cleared his name.

"This country is fortunate to have a legal system where the highest court in the land can correct a serious miscarriage of justice at the trial," he said.

Whistleblower nurse Toni Hoffman has described the prospect of a new trial as a "worst-case scenario", and says waiting for a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions is agonising.

"I think it's just a very exhausting and emotional time for everybody involved - with the fear of the unknown, not knowing if there will be a retrial and all of that," she told the ABC.

Bundaberg Hospital Patients Support Group President Beryl Crosby said Patel's statement had left her angry and said his words, after so long, were hollow.

"I don't believe anything this man says, I'm sorry," she told AAP, breaking down after the Patel statement was aired.

"He talks about feeling his victims' pain," she sobbed.

"Even after they died he never apologised to the families of his victims or did the open disclosure doctors are supposed to do and tell you what went wrong.

"He never believed he did anything wrong - and I think he still doesn't believe he did anything wrong."

Ms Hoffman questioned why Patel had chosen to speak via the media, when he could have done it sooner in other forums.

"... during the royal commission and committal and the trial, and he chose not to," she told ABC radio.

"To give an interview now is a little bit confronting to me."

Ian Vowles, 65, had a section of his bowel removed by Patel, who later pleaded not guilty to causing him grievous bodily harm.

He told the ABC he wasn't convinced by Patel's offer of condolences.

"He went on a real lot about nothing. He absolutely said virtually nothing at all," he said.

"I don't think he came across real well, myself."

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