The Medical Council will attempt to repair its battered image at a policy meeting next week, member Dr Lo Wing-lok said yesterday. It will meet next Wednesday to see if members can reach a new consensus on the use of mobile phones by doctors in operating theatres. An emergency meeting of the panel last week concluded with a statement that said doctors could use mobile phones in operating theatres provided there was 'due justification'. This was immediately attacked as a way to vindicate an earlier council decision to clear surgeon Dr Tung Hiu-ming of professional misconduct after he took a mobile phone call during an operation. Dr Lo, a legislator and president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, said the phrase 'due justification' might be deleted or redefined. Last week, Secretary for Health and Welfare Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said a review of the council would be conducted. Meanwhile, legislators were criticised yesterday for fanning the controversy. Medical Council member Mark Lam Kan-ming said criticism made by legislators at a health services panel meeting on Monday 'was not based on facts'. The Legco panel agreed on Monday it would set up a committee to consider reform of the council. Cyd Ho Sau-lan, a legislator of The Frontier and a member of the panel, said she would suggest that the committee be formed under the House Committee to attract more legislators. The House Committee will meet on Friday to consider her proposal.
