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Perceptions and Deceptions: a personal blog by the editor 3 August 2016

Whistle blowing. What is it? Fascinating discussion with Chris Day, the Junior Doctor in the UK who is challenging the execution of the law in this sensitive area of employment contracts (http://54000doctors.org). More of that later, but just to note,...

Perceptions and deceptions: a personal blog by the editor 18 August 2016

I am back in the UK for a sabbatical and taking stock of all the changes since I left in 1999. An HK versus UK comparison becomes even more fascinating when looking at information sources ‘on the ground’. Social networking...

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 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.