The inquiry involves a mainland couple’s complaint alleging negligence by Baptist Hospital paediatrician Sit Sou-chi had led to their newborn son developing cerebral palsy.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, the father of the boy said the family was disappointed that a verdict had not been reached after all this time.
“We have already waited for 16 years. We had hoped there would be a verdict but it was postponed for another month. We definitely have complicated feelings towards this,” he said.
The Medical Council heard closing submissions during the Sunday hearing, when the counsel representing the watchdog argued that Sit had failed to take action despite believing that the infant might have suffered convulsions or epilepsy.
The counsel added that Sit did not give priority to the severity of risks faced by patients, and that any negligence, whether serious or minor, constitutes professional misconduct.
Sit’s counsel said the paediatrician had believed the infant likely choked on milk, which could also lead to serious consequences, and instructed nurses to suspend feeding and continue observation.
The defence counsel also said misjudgement or failure to take action to address all possibilities is not equal to professional misconduct.
