Charlie Teo claims colleagues are “trying to destroy” him in candid interview
The controversial neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has taken aim at his medical colleagues for “trying to destroy” him.
He says while he admits to making “sexualised” jokes, people have been trying to ruin him “for years,” while speaking at his foundations Brain Cancer Research Ball in Perth on Sunday night.
“I’m sure you know my history, the history is that my colleagues are trying to destroy me and my reputation for years now,” he said, as reported by The West Australian.
“They talk about the fact that I … am a sexual predator. Now, I do tell sexualised jokes. I will be the first to admit it, I swear like a trooper.”
Dr Teo, 61, made headlines in September after the Sydney Morning Herald ran an investigation into the neuroscientist where a number of his colleagues accused him of inappropriate conduct.
He was also accused of making others uncomfortable due to sexual conversations.
In the emotional speech, Dr Teo told the crowd his lawyers had advised him not to make any comments on the allegations but assured them he had “never had a complaint”.
“I am a bit old-fashioned, I can tell some jokes but I’ve never had a complaint. I certainly wouldn’t use my power or my authority to persuade someone for sex,” he said.
Dr Teo stated he was “incredibly disappointed” by the allegations in early September.
The article, published in The Sydney Morning Herald on September 5, detailed quotes from anonymous colleagues describing a number of inappropriate gestures and actions by Dr Teo while in surgery and at his own home.
It also shares quotes made by unnamed neurosurgeons who accused Dr Teo of overcharging patients.
“I am incredibly surprised and tremendously disappointed by the article published today in The Sydney Morning Herald,” he said in a statement on his personal website in September.
“Particularly disturbing was the evident lack of legitimate research, the use of nameless sources, the staggering number of inaccuracies and ultimate failure to provide a fair and balanced story.
“I am not the first person to be subjected to this type of reporting and I will not be the last.
“I am immensely proud of everything that I have achieved professionally as a surgeon in Australia and internationally and of the work of the Charlie Teo Foundation.
“I recognise that none of this would have been possible without the support of my amazing team, many of whom who have been with me for many years.”
It wasn’t too long ago when in June, Dr Teo was criticised by University of Sydney Professor of surgery, Henry Woo, for the amount he charges to perform surgeries.
Dr Woo wrote on Twitter in a fiery statement: “something is seriously wrong if a terminally ill girl with a brain tumour has to raise $130,000 to have surgery Dr Charlie Teo has offered to do for $60-80,000”.
He further argued that “if it was valid surgery, it could/should be performed in the public system under Medicare”.
Dr Teo hit back at the firestorm, saying he wasn’t allowed to operate in public hospitals.
He further accused the medical establishment of “gunning” for him.
The neurosurgeon later revealed he was facing possible disciplinary action after multiple complaints were submitted to the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, which sent him a letter warning him of making “comments which may undermine confidence in colleagues’ directive decisions relating to patients.”
“They will eventually get me,” the 61-year-old told a medical conference in Canberra where he read out a personal letter.
“A lot of good people have gone down to the system. I used to say just take the high road and the high road will always keep you protected, but I really don’t think that is true.”