Frustrated family still waiting to have their complaint heard

The family of philanthropist Anita Chan Lai-ling say they are frustrated by repeated delays to a Medical Council disciplinary hearing on radiologist Dr Yau Yat-yin, who has now been arrested in connection with Chan's death.

Her eldest son, Anson Chan Yiu-cheung, said yesterday that the family had filed a complaint with the Medical Council against Yau in May last year.

But a month later, the council told the family that it had to withhold consideration of the case pending the result of the coroner's hearing.

After the inquest was completed on December 2 last year, the family asked the council to resume its consideration of the complaint. The son said the family had been helpful in providing all the information about the inquest for the council.

He said the council had replied in June that it would hold a preliminary investigation committee hearing on Yau, scheduled for Monday.

But the family received a letter from the council last month saying the committee had decided to withhold consideration of the complaint for the time being.

He would not disclose the reason given by the council for the further delay as he was advised by his lawyer to keep it confidential for legal reasons. 'It is a significant delay and it is disappointing,' Chan said.