Prominent cancer doctor fined $25,000 by Singapore Medical Council

Dr Ang Peng Tiam's company, TalkMed Group, issued a release on Sunday to say that Dr Ang has "been strongly advised to appeal against the decision" by the Singapore Medical Council and that he has decided to do so. PHOTO: MY PAPER / FILE

SINGAPORE - Dr Ang Peng Tiam, a prominent cancer doctor in private practice, has been fined $25,000 by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) following a complaint by a patient in 2010.

Dr Ang's company, TalkMed Group, issued a release on Sunday to say that Dr Ang has "been strongly advised to appeal against the decision" and that he has decided to do so.

TalkMed is publicly listed and the release by Mr Lee Boon Yong, its chief financial officer, is in compliance with rules of the Singapore Exchange.

A spokesman for TalkMed told The Straits Times: "We have not yet communicated with the SMC as the formal and full grounds of appeal are still being prepared."

In 2010, a family member of a patient who had been treated by Dr Ang had filed four charges against the oncologist with the SMC, the professional watchdog.

There were no further details on the complaint in the TalkMed statement.

It was one of 152 complaints against doctors the SMC received that year. All the complaints are then seen by the Complaints Committee which decides if there is merit to the complaints. If there is, the case is heard by a disciplinary tribunal.

The tribunal heard the complaint against Dr Ang, who is also the Medical Director at the Parkway Cancer Centre.

The entire process usually takes several years.

The tribunal cleared Dr Ang of two charges, but found him guilty of the other two and imposed a $25,000 fine on him.

Doctors found guilty by the SMC are usually given a month to decide if they will appeal the decision. Such appeals are heard by the High Court.

If there is no appeal, the decision of the tribunal, and the reasons for the decision, would be made public after a month.

TalkMed's release added: "We have full confidence in Dr Ang and the day-to-day operations of the company are not affected."

Correction note: The story has been edited for clarity.

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