Medical Council

A Hong Kong dermatologist received a suspended punishment for allowing improper advertisements on the mainland Chinese social media platform RedNote. The Medical Council found her guilty of professional misconduct for failing to prevent the unauthorized clinic ads.

Hong Kong authorities are investigating potential civil service negligence in a 15-year delay by the Medical Council to address a complaint against a paediatrician linked to a boy’s permanent disability. The case involves newborn Li Yuanjian, whose mainland Chinese parents filed the complaint in 2010, and Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau acknowledged avoidable delays in handling the case.

Hong Kong authorities are increasing the proportion of lay members in the Medical Council to 31% as part of reforms to enhance public participation and transparency in handling medical complaints. The changes involve amendments to the Medical Registration Ordinance.

Hong Kong authorities plan to reform the Medical Council by increasing lay members to over a third and making complaint handling time frames public. The changes follow a 15-year delay in addressing a complaint against Dr Sit Sou-chi, whose alleged medical error left a boy permanently disabled in 2009.

Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority reported a medical intern to police for allegedly accessing patient data without authorization, suspending her and a resident doctor. The authority warned the intern over earlier misconduct at Ruttonjee Hospital and is investigating potential further malpractice, with findings to be passed to the Medical Council.

A Hong Kong doctor is accused of professional misconduct after a boy in his care was left permanently disabled over 16 years ago. The doctor's lawyer argued misdiagnosis or incompetence does not equate to misconduct, while the Medical Council's prosecution emphasized that misconduct involves underperformance evaluated by an inquiry panel.