It is common sense to share professional respect and courtesy when doctors conduct patient care together.

Doctors are keen to help patients, both the one in front of them, and the coming ones. A doctor is proud and often considers himself as the only one knowing and delivering the best (forgive me for being susceptible to this weakness as well). Often we err that the care of anyone else, even our own teammate, is not good enough. We are very observant to slips with others, but less sensitive to our own personal fall. Unluckily, each of us including meself, harbor major weakness in many aspects. The culture in the public sector to condemn second best treatment as not evidence-based contributes to over-emphasis with single & stereotyped approaches.

Actually a doctor always tries the best to help his client/patient. There are different approaches, often as good. Important considerations are borrowed from the famous Bolam principle, that treatment is acceptable if a respectable body of professionals also give the care in the same/similar way, as well as patient centreness in decision making.  There is a huge range with performance especially in relation to style, speed, order with steps, often in relation to character of the professional, all ending with good outcome. As fellow colleagues, we TRUST partners in practice, and support them without reservation.

Over the years, we have cultivated a very harmonious internal work environment. I would thank everyone with the support to me to remove internal conflict. Open arguments are rare, yet occasionally colleagues cannot refrain from slip of tongue.  It causes misunderstanding with other supporters especially nurses, sometimes patients, and very infrequently even between doctors. It is well known that misunderstanding and negative comments among professionals, mistaken as truth by patients, are potent stimulation to complaints and even legal challenges.

It is unwise to set a rule about behavior, as rules inevitably cause complications and stupider rules. It is appropriate to revisit basic intent here.

In patient care, the clinician in charge takes overall responsibility. Other colleagues support him unless there is major risk of iatrogenic harm to life or major function. Over the years, me on behalf of the Hospital had declared readiness to intervene if a client is managed with major iatrogenic risk, but not once did me or the Hospital take over any case. Rather, nurses are only instructed to inform their supervisors and meself if necessary. Most if not always, I supported the doctor. At worst, I gave private words to a doctor myself behind curtains. Other times, I retrospectively, politely & privately reminded doctors of the need to protect themselves better than what they did. I cannot remember open confrontation even when my first governance was challenged many many years ago.

The Hospital expects each doctor to stay within social norms during professional work. I am sure that professional conflict, open or subtle, are considered by the medical fraternity as out-of-norm. I am sure that all doctors here are well intended to patients and fellow colleagues.

If there is really a problem, each doctor has a duty to inform specialty clinical heads, Prof Ng or meself directly. This curse to handle unwelcome matters is mine and only mine. For your information, I take reference to patient centreness, common sense, & professional acceptability at a level corresponding to the status of the doctor (generalist, specialist, or leader).