Blog archive for 2021
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 10) – Informed consent (ii)
In the context of medicine, we typically speak of informed consent as having both an ethical and a legal basis. The ethics are related to patient autonomy and human rights. The legal perspective relates to the definition of what occurs if consent is not obtained, and a physical intervention occurs (assault or battery at a minimum and it would appear, gross negligence if things go wrong).
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 9) – Informed consent (i)
It is one year ago today that Justice Judianna Barnes sentenced Dr Mak Wan-ling to be incarcerated for three and half years for a crime she did not commit (see parts 1-4 of this blog).
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 8) – Propofol
Propofol played a significant role in the trial of Dr Vanessa Kwan. Vanessa went to South Korea to learn about cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgeons in South Korea use a lot of propofol in office-based practice. Ipso facto, Vanessa learned about propofol and its use in cosmetic surgery.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 7) – South Korea
South Korea is a truly amazing country and has, over the last thirty years, transformed into one of the most dynamic and innovative economies in the world.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 6) - Cosmetic surgery in Hong Kong
There is no formally recognised specialty of Cosmetic Surgery (and / or Medicine) in Hong Kong. Unsurprisingly, there are no formal training programs in cosmetic surgery or aesthetic medicine.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 5) - Who is the Judge?
I wonder what Vanessa is thinking right now. If she can even think. A torrent of images, regrets, what ifs. The onslaught must be so great, no wonder the normal response is for the mind and the body to shut down? Depression.
Hello and goodbye: changes to The PMFA Journal Editorial Board
The PMFA Journal team are delighted to welcome three new Specialist Advisors to our Editorial Board, each of whom will broaden our expertise and offer new perspectives to the Journal.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 4)
I want to return to the case of Dr Mak, who was, from the available evidence, caught up in a miscarriage of justice that arose because of a lack of effective interprofessional communication in the legal process.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 3)
14 June 2021 is the day in the Chinese calendar to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. These local holidays are a reminder of the deep cultural heritage enjoyed by the Chinese people.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 2)
In Volume 1, Issue 1 of this journal I wrote an article entitled: ‘From PIP to DC-CIK to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice: a medico-political minefield’. Little did I know or anticipate what a mess this was going to become: a medico-legal mess with ignorant lawyers and arrogant doctors demonstrating how stupidity and rapacious hypocrisy can twist and distort reality for the purposes of extracting a bizarre social revenge with little sense of justice.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 1)
On the 8 December 2020, Justice Judianna Barnes sentenced Dr Mak Wan-ling to three and a half years in prison. The charge for which she was found guilty was gross negligence manslaughter (GNM). She had injected a contaminated blood sample into a patient and the patient had died. The conviction was fundamentally flawed.
Retrobulbar hyaluronidase
Blindness following filler injections is a devastating complication for the patient and the practitioner.
