Berg ‘was good with patients’

A GOLD Coast psychiatrist believed a man who allegedly faked his medical credentials was a good doctor who had cultural differences, a court has heard.

Vincent Berg is on trial in the Southport District Court for allegedly faking his Russian medical degree and causing about five patients to become ill. The patients suffered symptoms including vomiting, blurred vision and rashes. All the illnesses are alleged to relate to medication Berg prescribed them despite allegedly having no medical training.

Professor Leon Petchovsky told the court yesterday Berg shadowed him as a clinical observer at the Gold Coast Hospital for a few months in 1999.

“I felt he was good with patients,” Prof Petchovsky said. “I was aware of the cultural differences and differences in training between the Australian system and his background.”

Prof Petchovsky said there was no indication that Berg had not received medical training.

Berg has plead not guilty to 14 charges including grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm and fraud relating to incidents on the Gold Coast and in Townsville between 1999 and 2003.

The trial continues.