Members of the community are invited to participate in a Parliamentary inquiry into the oncology practices of local doctor Kiran Phadke.
Haematologist Dr Kiran Phadke is under investigation after he was accused of under treating patients for more than a decade.
A legislative council committee was established in August to inquire into and report on off-protocol prescribing of chemotherapy in NSW including at George and Sutherland hospitals.
The committee will examine the efficacy of prescribing systems, dose adjustment for patients, and informed consent for all medical interventions including chemotherapy.
Dr Phadke, a Lilli Pilli doctor who was suspended in June this year after a nurse raised concerns, said he expressed 'deep regret' for distress caused to families.
The inquiry is calling for public submissions to hear from patients and their families who have been affected.
Since Health Minister Jillian Skinner launched the investigation, more of Dr Phadke’s former patients have spoken out in support of the doctor.
Cheryl Hingerty of Woolooware, who was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in February, said she had nothing but praise for Dr Phadke, who supervised her treatment.
“Due to Dr Phadke’s excellent work, I’m virtually cancer free,” she said.
“He’s a man who saved my life.
“[The cancer] had spread to my lungs – I was riddled with it.
“I was 51 kilograms and if I had the [heavier] dose the hospital recommended, it possibly could have caused serious health problems.”
Fellow medical professional Michael Symons of Miranda said he was alarmed to hear of the criticism surrounding Dr Phadke’s treatment.
Dr Symons, who works in an unrelated area of medicine, says Dr Phadke is a caring, skilful and compassionate medical practitioner.
“I have never heard any of my patients who also have seen Dr Phadke make any negative comments about him or his medical approach,” he said.
“Although I do not have any knowledge of the individual cases being questioned, I am sure his patients who have heard reports would have been unnecessarily alarmed.
“Chemotherapeutic agents can be quite toxic.
“The treatment of patients requires individualising treatment so that the patient’s needs are paramount.”
People can lodge their written submissions by post to The Director, Select Committee on Off-protocol Prescribing of Chemotherapy in New South Wales, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.