Sick-leave GP censured

A doctor was found guilty of professional misconduct yesterday for writing an undated sick-leave certificate for a patient.

Dr Yau Wing-him saw the patient in his Discovery Bay clinic on December 7, 1998, and later wrote a certificate without signing the issue date.

The patient had taken sick leave between November 30 and December 5 because he was suffering from a cold. The patient, a middle-aged engineer, told the doctor his company would not accept the certificate if it was dated December 7.

'I was trying to help the patient in his dilemma; it was not to give a false or misleading statement,' Dr Yau told the Medical Council. 'I was simply deferring the matter until the company asked for the information.'