Misdiagnosis isn’t misconduct, lawyer for accused doctor tells medical watchdog

The lawyer for a Hong Kong doctor accused of professional misconduct after a boy in his care was left permanently disabled more than 16 years ago has told the medical watchdog that misdiagnosis or incompetence does not equate to misconduct.

But the prosecution representing the Medical Council secretariat said on Sunday that misconduct referred to whether a doctor underperformed and the circumstances should be defined by inquiry panel members.

Dr Sit Sou-chi is accused of failing to conduct necessary and immediate checks on newborn Li Yuanjian after the infant suffered a neonatal seizure on December 22, 2009.

The child, the son of a mainland Chinese couple, was born at Baptist Hospital in Kowloon Tong on December 19.

Yuanjian was later diagnosed with Group B Streptococcal meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia.

The medical incident left him with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, requiring lifelong care.