Cocaine-addict surgeon linked to sex workers' deaths, continued to operate on patients. A highly paid neurosurgeon who indulged his cocaine addiction, paid thousands of dollars for sex and was directly linked to the death of two prostitutes avoided detection and continued to practise at a private Sydney hospital.
Dr Suresh Nair worked at the Nepean Private Hospital in Sydney's western suburbs performing delicate operations, but spent much of his time leading a double life. Between shifts, the Malaysian-born doctor was spending tens of thousands of dollars on marathon sessions with prostitutes and cocaine.
He would eventually be charged in connection with the deaths of two sex workers from cocaine toxicity and have his medical licence revoked. Upon his arrest, many of his patients were horrified to learn of their doctor's extra-curricular activities.
For some, Dr Nair had botched their operations and left them with life-long ailments. Dr Nair had been on the impaired doctor's program since after self-reporting a problem with cocaine. That decision coincided with some major personal problems and Dr Nair's life began to spiral out of control. Nepean Public Hospital was aware Dr Nair was again using cocaine, and withdrew his clinical privileges.
But he was cleared by the NSW Medical Board to work under conditions and on that basis continued to operate at the private hospital next door. Healthscope, which operates Nepean Private, said it had no record of receiving the April letter.
