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Letter from Hong Kong (3 November 2020)

It is seven months since I wrote the first ‘Letter from Hong Kong’. The message then was simple: “Fear is okay, panic is not and wear masks”. It is one month since I wrote the last letter and that message? “Life goes on and will go on no matter what.”

The injectable buttock procedure

Gluteal contouring has become an extremely popular procedure led by celebrity images and patient requests.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 11) – Misinformed assent

I wonder how fast time goes in prison? 2022.This was Vanessa’s first New Year in prison. Dr Mak’s second. Two female doctors, both in their thirties. Dr Mak graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Dr Kwan, Vanessa, from Hong Kong University (HKU). Both are now incarcerated on the basis of myths. It is a disgrace.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 12) – Risk

Risks are ubiquitous in medicine. It is very important to realise that a risk can be both a threat and a friend. Risks relate to probabilities. The probability or possibility that the outcome may not be as desired. The Law does have a perverse view on this. The Law likes, demands, seeks cause and consequence. An honest doctor can rarely satisfy the Law. And that is why it was such a bad thing to see this poor Judge being led by the nose by two unscrupulous Medical “Experts”!

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 14) – Records of necessary information: Drugs Administered and the physiological response of the patient

It is the system that places the Judge as an interpreter of “truths” and sadly, susceptible to false information.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (Part 19) - The judge fails...

The Judge continues in her ‘Reasons for Sentencing’ and refers to the expert opinion of Dr Jimmy Chan. I have already indicated the lack of veracity when it comes to matters of fact with Dr Chan. Now we an opportunity to consider the validity of his opinion.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 20) - Culpability: The judge opines

The issue at stake is one of culpability. Who is to blame when things go wrong? That involves both an awareness of what has actually happened and those responsible for the various elements that have shown to be at fault.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 21) - Clinical practice guidelines and indictments

Because of liability issues there is a reluctance to make clinical practice guidelines (CPG) statutory requirements; that is to say, guidelines are ‘suggestions’, not ‘instructions’. And why is this important to this case?

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 22) – The prone position

How much does the position of a patient add to the risk of a surgical procedure? This is an extremely important question, and the answer is far from simple.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 24) - Prescribing Habits

How do doctors learn to prescribe/use drugs in a safe and effective manner? This is no simple question and when the issue of a prescribing habit being regarded as lethal it becomes highly relevant.

Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Healthcare: The medico-legal dilemma (part 27) - Time To Sum Up (cont.)

I have made a breakthrough. I have now determined the voice of the book. The target audience will be students of The Law and of Medicine.