Hong Kong Hospital Authority fires intern doctor over misconduct

The authority stated that the intern accessed a clinical medical system without authorization using another individual's account at Caritas Medical Centre and browsed patient data from Tuen Mun Hospital. The intern, who identified herself as 'Angel' online, also posted photos of herself undergoing an X-ray of her knee, describing it as a "perk" and citing "chronic knee pain."

The University of Hong Kong medical school has also launched a formal investigation into the intern's conduct, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and stating that termination of the internship would be recommended if fitness to practice is found to be substandard. The Hospital Authority has reported the incident to the police, suspecting the unauthorized use of login credentials to access patient records. The intern and a resident doctor at Tuen Mun Hospital have had their clinical duties and system access suspended.

Caritas Medical Centre clarified that the X-ray was conducted in a designated radiology room by a licensed resident doctor, and subsequent safety checks found no compromise to hospital services or radiation safety standards. The Hospital Authority confirmed that patient care was not affected by the incidents and that disciplinary measures would be taken in accordance with established procedures.