NUH doctors kill another patient, this time, a Granny

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

NUH criticises ST report of ongoing inquiry

Published on Dec 15, 2011

WE WOULD like to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Madam Heng Choon Noi ('NUH probes woman's death after successful op'; last Saturday).


We had made known to The Straits Times that an inquiry was ongoing and we would provide a full and transparent account to the family after the investigations are completed.


We regret that ST decided to publish the story of Madam Heng's case and named the doctors involved in the management of this patient, before the formal inquiry by the hospital was concluded.


The information on the doctors was given in our doctor's reply to the family to address specific queries raised by them.


The decision by ST to run the story before the completion of the inquiry has compromised the doctors' reputations even before they have been given the benefit of an official inquiry or the right to respond in a formal manner.


Associate Professor Aymeric Lim


Chairman, Medical Board


National University Hospital


Background story
ST Editor replies

WE REPORTED the facts of the inquiry as they stood and which NUH does not dispute. Being a matter of public interest, we will report new information as it surfaces.
The information on the doctors was given in our doctor's reply to the family to address specific queries raised by them.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

perhaps...but i hardly think this sad incident reflects well on the consultant & the nuh cardiac surgery dept either (on the face of it at least)...

btw the 2 docs in questions r not housemen...qualified docs training to specialise in cardiothoracic surgery at different levels at the material time...

This is what I am thinking too. As I mentioned before, I am trying to read between the lines here. These 2 housemen must have already known that the coroner's inquiry will not go well against them, otherwise, if they had done all they could, they can still hold their heads high and stayed.

 

[Checker]

Which planet have u been living on? Since when has SMC got any integrity? If this death was like u suggest, a resultof surgery, why all the resignations and self demotions?

In my limited experience, I believe SMC is made up of elected members (and some appointed). Not perfect (eg cock up first round Susan Lim case). But at least half are elected. I think it is a little more difficult to completely corrupt elected panels than appointed ones. And I certainly hope there're more than a few docs with integrity on the island.

Resignations may be from many reasons. May be guilt, self-blame, remorse. Nobody intentionally wants a bad outcome for patients and everyone involved is affected emotionally. Young ones are more vulnerable, worse if not supported. Suspect these resignations may also be from frustration of not being supported by the hospital or by fear of powers above that are obviously upset. These specialized surgical specialties are also very small circles.

But NUH doesn't look good in all this, especially with these premature resignations when even they say everything is being investigated. This spin to family that surgery was successful sounds illogical. Even looks as if they were trying to pin the blame on the junior docs, even before investigations have completed.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

do u know who make up such an electorate?...

In my limited experience, I believe SMC is made up of elected members (and some appointed). Not perfect (eg cock up first round Susan Lim case). But at least half are elected. I think it is a little more difficult to completely corrupt elected panels than appointed ones. And I certainly hope there're more than a few docs with integrity on the island. .

v insightful bro!

Resignations may be from many reasons. May be guilt, self-blame, remorse. Nobody intentionally wants a bad outcome for patients and everyone involved is affected emotionally. Young ones are more vulnerable, worse if not supported. Suspect these resignations may also be from frustration of not being supported by the hospital or by fear of powers above that are obviously upset. These specialized surgical specialties are also very small circles. .

hohohohoho...i'd say follow the dots!...

moreover i wonder why the letter of explanation came fm assistant prof ooi?...why not say prof cn lee himself instead?...

oops...just checked dr ooi is nuh's director of clinical services of the Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery department...so perhaps that explains why...however appears pretty young going by his "assistant prof" title...

But NUH doesn't look good in all this, especially with these premature resignations when even they say everything is being investigated. This spin to family that surgery was successful sounds illogical. Even looks as if they were trying to pin the blame on the junior docs, even before investigations have completed.

 

[cocobobo]

i have to stand up for some nus docs...

my son was in icu for a life-threatening condition. We stayed up all night and saw the doctors (indian fts) doing the same and running all kinds of tests to diagnose and treat and make sure he pulls through. Other docs we spoke to later said we were very fortunate...

hats off to you docs at the paediactrics icu!

 

[numero uno]

do u know who make up such an electorate?...



v insightful bro!



hohohohoho...i'd say follow the dots!...

moreover i wonder why the letter of explanation came fm assistant prof ooi?...why not say prof cn lee himself instead?...

oops...just checked dr ooi is nuh's director of clinical services of the Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery department...so perhaps that explains why...however appears pretty young going by his "assistant prof" title...

agreed. nowadays A Prof is a dime a dozen and alot of them are very young. it may mean assistant prof or associate prof or adjunct prof. It is a laughing stock in singapore as some are in their thirties and hardly publish any papers , make any major discovery or are experienced enough. in europe, japan, korea and USA all their prof are in their late 40s or 50s. in the 1980s the professors are rare and usually in their 50s or 60s and well respected. NUH is just an example. look at their websites and tons or hundreds of A Prof. in life when there are too many of such things or titles manufactored or given away, quality is suspect. eg Like Datukships. whats the big deal nowadays. even gangsters and crimninals can be datuks. ditto all these young A Profs. A simple Dr. would suffice and I usually ask around the inside siources who are the good doctors when I seek treatment and not surprisingly they are usually just simple Dr in thehir late 40s to 50s who keep a low profile. I also google search their names and initials to see how experienced or academic they are. those that brag in the media or advertised heavily like Dr Susan Lim are the worst. Its just like finding a good experienced honest mechanic. its that rare nowadays.

 

[halsey02]

i have to stand up for some nus docs...

my son was in icu for a life-threatening condition. We stayed up all night and saw the doctors (indian fts) doing the same and running all kinds of tests to diagnose and treat and make sure he pulls through. Other docs we spoke to later said we were very fortunate...

hats off to you docs at the paediactrics icu!

You were very fortunate, back in India, they would have arranged for a cremation service already with religious rites!!

What is in a name Aymeric Lim that rhymes with tumeric?:p

 

[GoldenDragon]

What is in a name Aymeric Lim that rhymes with tumeric?:p

His mum's French. Dad's a Malaysian I think. He's close to LWL.

 

[Checker]

anowadays A Prof is a dime a dozen and alot of them are very young. it may mean assistant prof or associate prof or adjunct prof. It is a laughing stock in singapore as some are in their thirties and hardly publish any papers , make any major discovery or are experienced enough.

Agree... My sources in academic world tells me that in UK, USA, there're also many assistant, associate, adjunct, profs affiliated with medical schools. But few like to call him/herself Prof So-and-so. At most, Dr so-and-so. I think in SG, even people who are "adjunct" prof (meaning not full-time in the university) promote themselves as Prof so-and-so and do so on half-page ads in ST.

But like to think there're some good docs out there quietly trying to do good. Many are young docs who are idealistic but inexperienced. Trying to find balance between service and materialism.

 

[halsey02]

His mum's French. Dad's a Malaysian I think. He's close to LWL.

French loaf with nasi khandar....wahh!! ha ha ha

 

[GoldenDragon]

French loaf with nasi khandar....wahh!! ha ha ha

I met him before. He is a nice chap. Very humble.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

aymeric's dad is a singgie chinese lawyer...

interesting chap...ri boy n great tennis player...also becoz of his good eurasian looks was also a successful male model...in fact i believe he paid his own way thru med school as he was quite rebellious and had an independent streak...now happily married to ex ag tan boon teik's daughter...

His mum's French. Dad's a Malaysian I think. He's close to LWL.