HK doctor reported for groping pregnant patients' breasts and nipples
One of Hong Kong's top anaesthetists is in hot water after he was reported for groping and pinching his pregnant patients' breasts and nipples to check if they were anaesthetised.
Hong Kong's Medical Council has hit Dr Cheung Kai-shuen with eight counts of professional misconduct after his actions were brought to light by St Paul's Hospital, a private hospital in Causeway Bay.
The alleged incidents occurred while Dr Cheung was determining his patients' sedation levels while they were undergoing caeserian deliveries.
According to the South China Morning Post, Dr Cheung was accused by two nurses, one of whom testified during a hearing in May that he had used his bare hands - his second and middle finger, in particular - to touch a patient's left nipple.
Not necessary
Speaking as an expert witness on the case, consultant anesthesiologist Dr Frances Lui denounced Dr Cheung's actions as unnecessary.
She said: "Nipples and breasts are very private parts of a patient. I do not feel it is necessary to do a sensibility test on the nipples and breasts.
"We can do it below the breasts instead of touching the breasts directly."
Dr Lui further added that doctors must seek patients' consent before the operation should such a test be necessary and that a medical instrument should be used as bare hands could transmit bacteria to mother and child.
However, she did concede that conducting a sensibility test by hand was not scientifically wrong.
Dr Cheung's hearing continues.
Source: South China Morning Post
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