Doctor ‘groped patients’ breasts and nipples’ at Hong Kong hospital, medical watchdog hears

It was not normal surgical procedure for a doctor to touch a woman’s breasts to check her level of sedation after administering anaesthetic, an expert witness today told a hearing at Hong Kong’s medical watchdog.

Prominent anaesthetist Dr Cheung Kai-shuen faces eight charges of professional misconduct at the Medical Council for allegedly groping and pinching the breasts and nipples of two pregnant patients.

The cases were reported to the council by St. Paul’s Hospital in Causeway Bay, where the alleged incidents took place during caesarean deliveries.

It is a rare move for a private hospital to actively report a doctor to the council.

Outside the hearing, council chairman Professor Joseph Lau Wan-yee praised the hospital for coming forward and encouraged more private institutions to do the same.

“If the hospitals have investigated the matter and have doubts, they should report the case [to the Medical Council],” Lau said.

“Only in this way can it be fair to patients and doctors, and the standard of local medical professionals can be maintained.”