The Brisbane manslaughter trial of former Bundaberg-based surgeon Jayant Patel has heard a patient who died had been in the most urgent category for elective surgery.

Patel, 62, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing 75-year-old patient Mervyn Morris.

The jury was shown the operation register and booking form that showed Mr Morris was rated the most urgent category for elective surgery.

The court was also told Mr Morris's surgery in May 2003 was performed on a Friday, a day when elective procedures at the time did not usually occur at the Bundaberg hospital.

Clinical nurse Karen Smith told the court that elective surgery was extended to Fridays in 2005 because of pressures about waiting lists.

She also agreed with the defence under cross-examination that Patel was answering to those pressures and creating more efficiencies within the hospital.