Zim born doctor escapes prosecution over patient death in New Zealand

New Zealand police have decided not to lay charges against a Zimbabwe-born doctor following the death of a patient during surgery and several other allegedly botched operations.

However, the surgeon will be subject to "extraordinary restrictions" should he decide to return to work.

Doctor Michael Parry stood down from his post at Wairau Hospital, a public hospital in Blenheim, after the death of Jim Nicholls, 81, during surgery to repair a hernia and remove his gall bladder in May 2012.

Parry was on paid leave until he resigned in May last year. Another patient, Rachel Riddell, 31, died of blood loss in January 2011 after Parry removed her gall bladder.

A coroner's inquiry into the two deaths was put on hold in December 2012 when police launched their own investigation into one of the deaths, to determine whether there was any "liability or culpability".

But police this week said evidence gathered did not reach the threshold for prosecution and no charges would be laid.