Did both doctors collude to exploit vulnerable female patients?

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High Court Partially Upholds Finding of Doctors Colluding to Exploit Vulnerable Female Patient

A High Court judge has partially upheld a lower court's decision, finding that two doctors colluded to target a vulnerable female patient, identified only as K. However, the court found no collusion between surgeon Julian Ong Kian Peng and psychiatrist Chan Herng Nieng in taking sexual advantage of another complainant, Serene Tiong. The ruling clarified that while Dr Ong acted unscrupulously in facilitating Dr Chan's potential sexual advances towards patient K, Tiong's claims regarding collusion with her were not fully substantiated.
Doctors Targeted Patient K for Sexual Exploitation

Justice See Kee Oon agreed that both Dr Ong and Dr Chan had indeed targeted patient K. Dr Ong provided K's phone number to Dr Chan under the guise of a property transaction, but explicitly instructed him to "feel free to play your game" and made a reference to having anal sex with the patient. Justice See found this action by Dr Ong to be "unscrupulous and impermissible," particularly given his knowledge that K, as a property agent, might be more vulnerable to being "set up." The judge concluded that Dr Ong most likely provided K's details to Dr Chan with the intention of facilitating sexual contact.
Claims Regarding Serene Tiong Not Fully Substantiated

While Serene Tiong had alleged collusion between Dr Chan and Dr Ong to take advantage of vulnerable female patients, Justice See dismissed the finding that Tiong herself was a vulnerable patient in her relationship with Dr Chan. The judge noted that any trust between Dr Chan and Tiong was premised on their affair, not a doctor-patient relationship. Although Dr Chan had supplied Tiong with Xanax for anxiety, the court could not establish when she became his "de facto patient." Consequently, the claim that both doctors had deliberated on or taken preparatory steps for a foursome with Tiong was rejected, with Dr Ong's related text message being deemed a "joke" during testimony.
Doctors' Conduct Tarnished Reputations

Justice See commented critically on the doctors' behaviour, stating that their "smug boasts of trysts with various women and gloating comments speak to their true nature." The judge asserted that regardless of their medical competence, their "treatment of women as sex objects sullies whatever reputation they may have built up for themselves." This sentiment underscored the ethical breaches identified in their interactions with female patients and others.
Interim Orders Implemented by Singapore Medical Council

Following the district court's initial ruling, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) implemented interim orders against both Dr Ong and Dr Chan. These orders strictly prohibit them from contacting female patients, except for legitimate medical purposes. Dr Ong, who runs a private practice and was suspended from practising at several hospitals including Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, faces ongoing scrutiny. Dr Chan also continues to maintain a private practice.

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Did both doctors collude to exploit vulnerable female patients?

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