Bail for 2 Hong Kong doctors accused of leaking data to implicate surgeon

Two public hospital doctors in Hong Kong have been granted bail after being arrested on suspicion of leaking a cancer patient’s medical data to highlight alleged shortcomings by her operating surgeon. The 35-year-old associate consultant and the 57-year-old consultant from Tseung Kwan O Hospital were released on bail on Tuesday and are required to report to police in late September.

The allegation centres on leaking the patient’s data to implicate the surgeon’s performance, rather than whistle-blowing in the conventional sense. Observers said the incident underscored the need for a stronger “speak-up” culture within the Hospital Authority. The report notes the developments were covered in part by the South China Morning Post.