SMC’s response to The Straits Times Commentary – Dishonesty in doctors a serious matter to Singapore Medical Council, courts

The commentary “Are doctors in Singapore being disciplined fairly? Recent penalties for misconduct draw scrutiny” (Oct 20) compared Dr Cherida Yong Chun Yin’s sentence for forging MCs with those in cases of clinical misconduct involving patient harm.

Under the Medical Registration Act (MRA), disciplinary tribunals (DTs), which work independently of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC), are appointed to look into each disciplinary case.

In making sentencing decisions, DT members draw on their relevant professional expertise and come to an autonomous decision, while remaining within the guidance provided by case precedents and appeal judgments by the Court of Three Judges.

Dr Yong’s conduct was dishonest, and she admitted to the disciplinary charges against her. Besides forging MCs twice, she initially denied doing so when questioned.

The SMC’s sentencing position took guidance from the Court of Three Judges’ judgment in the Wong Meng Hang case, which elucidated the factors that must be considered in cases involving dishonest doctors.

The judgment stated that “in cases involving dishonesty, striking off should be seriously considered, and there may be no need to assess the levels of harm and culpability”. It further highlighted that the honesty expected from doctors extended to non-patient care situations.

The DT’s sentence considered Dr Yong’s circumstances, and precedents of doctors involved in dishonest conduct.

In another precedent case, a doctor forged MCs signed off by an unnamed “locum” for himself in 2015. He was suspended for three years.

The DT noted that Dr Yong had not only forged two MCs, but had also misused the identity of another doctor in her forgeries.

Accordingly, the DT’s decision in Dr Yong’s case is consistent with precedents.

The commentary added that the actual punishment for Dr Yong was six years rather than three as she had been “suspended from work since 2022”.

Dr Yong’s employment was, in fact, terminated by her employer in 2022. This dismissal was separate from the disciplinary processes instituted under the MRA.

The honesty expected of doctors and lawyers is similar. Serious penalties are also meted out against dishonest lawyers.

The Court of Three Judges struck off a lawyer convicted of cheating, who misused a credit card found in a private-hire car. The Court of Three Judges also disbarred another lawyer for not declaring in her Bar admission application that she had committed plagiarism during her undergraduate days.

Finally, dishonesty in doctors is viewed very seriously by the SMC as well as the courts. Honesty and probity are important values emphasised in the SMC’s Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines that medical practitioners must have.

Maintaining the highest standards of honesty in the profession helps assure patients that their doctors have their best interests at heart. Dishonesty undermines this trust.

Chee Yam Cheng (Professor)
President
Singapore Medical Council