Spanish doctor botched surgery

It has been revealed that a Spanish doctor working in Australia has lost his right to practice in the country following a number of botched operations.  

Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has announced that four separate investigations will be conducted into the surgery practices of a Spanish-trained doctor at Rockhampton Hospital.

Last week it was revealed that Spanish national Dr Antonio Vega Vega performed incorrect surgery on a patient earlier this year.

The surgeon was supposed to perform an operation to remove a patient’s left kidney but removed the right kidney instead.

Dr Vega Vega is now being investigated after three more bungled surgeries stretching back to 2011 came to light.

Another case saw a patient suffering severe blood loss after an artery was nicked during surgery. The cut went undetected and the patient had to be flown to Brisbane for post-operative treatment.

The doctor, who has also practised at Nambour General Hospital, graduated in 1988 from Spain’s University of Salamanca.

He completed his training in 1996 as a urologist at the University Hospital Merques de Valdecilla in Santander and obtained his PhD in 2001.  

The Crime and Misconduct Commission and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency have been informed of the incidents.