Court of Appeal reserves judgement on Dr Susan Lim case

dragg SG

SINGAPORE: The Court of Appeal on Thursday reserved judgement on prominent surgeon Dr Susan Lim's attempt to overturn a High Court decision against her for overcharging her patient, a member of the Brunei royal family.

Dr Lim was appealing against the decision to allow the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) to convene a second disciplinary committee to hear her case.

A hearing before the SMC's disciplinary committee halted abruptly without a decision in July last year following accusations by Dr Lim's lawyers that the panel had prejudged the case.

Dr Lim has been embroiled in the high-profile case over her S$12 million bill for treating a cancer patient - the sister of the Brunei queen - over seven months in 2007.

Dr Lim, who's represented by Senior Counsel Lee Eng Beng from Rajah and Tann, told the court that the SMC has failed in its statutory obligation to provide a disciplinary process that is fair.

Mr Lee argued that the decision made by the Council to reconvene the disciplinary committee was not valid.

His argument was based on two emails, dated September 3 and 13 last year, sent to members of the Council by its secretariat.

The emails informed members about the Council's decision to appoint a second disciplinary committee and that if no responses were received from any member, the decision would be deemed to be unanimous.

Mr Lee claimed that the emails also do not contain sufficient information and do not advise the members of what had happened and what considerations they need to bear in mind before they could make a proper decision.

He also showed an affidavit filed by a member of the SMC, Dr Wilmot Rasanayagan, who said that he rejected the appointment of the second disciplinary committee.

The court has ordered that the SMC provides affidavits from members who received the emails to ascertain that they read and understood the decision by the Council.

The SMC represented by Mr Alvin Yeo from Wong Partnership has asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

Mr Yeo said that the charges against Dr Lim be allowed to be fully investigated in a formal inquiry by the second disciplinary committee.

- CNA/fa

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12 million over 7 months?

maxsee SG

There will always be carrot heads running around ready to be chop left and right....=_=''

Darkness_hacker99 SG

In this case, it's the patient that choose the doctor. In fact, she have choose a world renowned doctor. For Atas doctor, you pay atas price.

The patient already agree to pay for all medical expenses, but died without leaving any instructions. Haiz~~

lce SG

In this case, it's the patient that choose the doctor. In fact, she have choose a world renowned doctor. For Atas doctor, you pay atas price.

The patient already agree to pay for all medical expenses, but died without leaving any instructions. Haiz~~

at $12m? is it a world record? Laughing

even MJ dun pay $12m to his doctor for his death