Nude Photo Probe Disclosure Came 'too Late'

A patients’ rights advocate on Friday criticised the Hospital Authority for not immediately telling the public about a student doctor who was arrested in January after allegedly taking secret photos of a male nurse in the shower at Queen Mary Hospital.

Alex Lam, chairman of Hong Kong Patients' Voices, said “the Hospital Authority has a duty to make an immediate announcement, to make sure that everyone knows about this.”

Lam added this may have prompted patients who also have suspicions about the 25-year-old doctor to also come forward with complaints, either to the Hospital Authority or to police.

The case only came to light earlier this month after the Apple Daily newspaper reported that one of the alleged victims was asked by police to give evidence.

Reports citing police sources say a check of the suspect’s phone later revealed that he had ‘hundreds’ of nude photos – some apparently of patients from the Caritas Medical Centre in Cheung Sha Wan, where he had worked previously.

On Thursday, the authority's chief executive Leung Pak-yin denied there was a cover-up, pointing out that the student doctor had already been removed from his current duties, and they had reported the matter to police.

He said they planned to disclose the case after police investigations have been wrapped up.