Patel trial broadcast

Jayant Patel was yesterday committed to stand trial on 13 charges, including manslaughter, in relation to his time as director of surgery at Bundaberg Hospital.

Bundaberg News Mail

THE trial of former Bundaberg Hospital surgeon Jayant Patel will be broadcast in Bundaberg, a judge has ordered.

In what is believed to be only the third time in Queensland such a viewing facility has been allowed for a court case, people will be able to watch the trial without having to travel to Brisbane.

Patient support groups in Bundaberg have welcomed the news.

Bundaberg-Burnett Patient Support Group president Ian Fleming said the move was good for people like him, who could not afford to travel to Brisbane to watch the proceedings

“It gives us the opportunity to see what happens in the court room without having to travel,” Mr Fleming said.

Bundaberg Hospital Patients Support Group president Beryl Crosby said the news was “wonderful”.

“It would be great for the patients who don't want to face the trial but have the option to see what is going on,” she said.

Justice John Byrne told the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday he would allow the trial to be broadcast to a Bundaberg facility.

Patel, 59, will face three charges of manslaughter, two of grievous bodily harm and an alternative charge of negligent acts at the trial.

The trial is expected to run between 10 and 12 weeks in Brisbane in March.

As well as the broadcast in Bundaberg, the trial will be shown in a remote public gallery in Brisbane and a dedicated media room due to the public interest in the proceedings.

All charges relate to Patel's time as director of surgery at Bundaberg Hospital between 2003 and 2005.

A review of the case is set down for January.