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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In relation to yesterday's announcement of disciplinary action against relevant staff in the incident of the missing baby body, the spokesperson of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) announced the following decision today (February 19):
Further to the investigation report released on February 17, and in accordance with the Hospital Authority's human resources policies, a Committee of Inquiry (COI) was set up to look more specifically into the performance of the mortuary technician and the administrative assistant to decide on the appropriate disciplinary action.
The COI held its first meeting today and concluded that the mortuary technician had acted within the HA's definition of gross misconduct and hence has recommended disciplinary action to the Hospital Chief Executive. The COI will continue with its inquiry regarding the role of other staff in the incident and will deliver its findings and recommendation as soon as practicable.
Having studied the report from the COI, the Hospital Chief Executive, Dr Loretta Yam, decided to terminate the employment of the mortuary technician with immediate effect. "As shown in the investigation report, this staff member had failed to meet the standards required by the hospital in a manner which was unacceptable and indefensible. PYNEH will not tolerate any staff with integrity issues. The hospital will continue to monitor the management and services of the mortuary and make continual improvement, so as to provide a safe and quality environment to members of the public," said Dr Yam.
A mortuary staff member has been deployed from the cluster to assist in the operation of PYNEH's mortuary. To strengthen monitoring and operation of the mortuary, a mortuary officer will be recruited soon.
Dr Yam added: "PYNEH reported the incident to the Police on January 5, 2009, and has co-operated and worked closely with the Police in the investigation. We are working with great speed and diligence to act on the recommendations of the investigation panel by identifying the relevant staff requiring serious disciplinary action. However, I do not expect that our actions, no matter how fast and thorough, will ever remove the grief and sadness of the family, and as the Hospital Chief Executive, my heart continues to go out to the family and I unreservedly apologise for such grief caused by my staff."
Ends/Thursday, February 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:24
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