Office of Ombudsman to initiate investigation into medical complaint ignored for 15 years
發佈日期: 2025-11-05 21:43
TVB News
The Office of the Ombudsman announced that it will launch an investigation into a medical complaint that has dragged on for 15 years.
This came after the Medical Council's decision to terminate the inquiry into a paediatrician accused of a mistake that left a child with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia.
The watchdog hopes the probe can sort out procedural inadequacies and offer recommendations for handling medical complaints.
In 2009, a mainland wife travelled to Hong Kong to give birth to her son, but he was incapacitated for life after birth.
The couple filed a complaint against the doctors involved.
The proceedings, however, were halted by the Medical Council in late October this year, as it ruled it would be unfair for the doctor to go on trial after such a long time.
Ombudsman Jack Chan said he was highly concerned that the secretariat of the medical council, failed to explain the 15-year delay.
He said the complaint information suggested that the administrative support for the various medical-related committees could have significant delays or is ineffective.
The investigation will review the secretariat's role in handling healthcare complaints, and the Department of Health's responsibilities in overseeing the healthcare sector.
Tim Pang, a patients' rights advocate from the Society for Community Organisation, hopes the probe could assess whether the Medical Council placed the patient's rights below those of the doctor in question.
Meanwhile, chairperson of the inquiry panel Grace Tang, who is also the chair of the Medical Council, did not respond to the incident.
When asked about the reason for the delay, she said the Council will review its decision on November 22.
