Doctor who issued false sick notes barred

A private doctor who issued fictitious sick leave certificates and medical receipts has been barred from practising for six months.

Yung Sui-lan, 63, was found guilty of 17 charges by the Medical Council last night.

The council's chairwoman, Felice Lieh Mak, said Dr Yung's conduct fell seriously below professional standards.

'These kinds of cases are hard to detect and prosecute, as usually doctors and patients collaborate to cover up the scam,' she said, adding that a clear message had to be sent out.

The council heard that Dr Yung had issued nine sick leave certificates to one patient from May 2000 to August 2001 without any consultations or examinations. She also issued him with 57 medical receipts with dates, although she saw him only eight times. She once issued 11 receipts in one day, the court heard.

The council rejected the doctor's claim that she issued the certificates in this way to ensure the patient, a construction worker suffering headaches after an accident, had enough time to rest.