Brisbane, Feb. 18 : Controversial Indian-born surgeon, Dr. Jayant Patel, who is currently facing a committal hearing into allegations of manslaughter over the deaths of two patients, had "unrealistic expectations" about what surgery could safely be performed at Queensland's Bundaberg Base Hospital, whistleblower nurse Toni Hoffman has told a court here.

In a 47-page statement tendered as evidence in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, Hoffman said she made her first complaint about the surgeon shortly after he started work at the hospital in April 2003.

Hoffman said she believed major procedures were too complex for Patel to be performing at the hospital because it lacked the appropriate post-operative care facilities.

Patel, 58, also faces 11 other charges, including another of manslaughter, relating to his time as director of surgery at the hospital between 2003 and 2005.

Hoffman, who blew the whistle on Patel''s allegedly negligent medical practices, said in her statement Patel refused to speak to her after she made the first complaint against him to then director of medical services Dr Darren Keating.

She said she also complained to Dr Keating about the way Patel interacted with his colleagues, saying he would "try and create disharmony by trying to divide and conquer the staff".

Hoffman said nurses would ask for reassignment from Patel''s patients because of his behavior. (ANI)