SINGAPORE - A DISCIPLINARY inquiry against one of Singapore's top female surgeons has ended without a verdict.

Dr Susan Lim, who was part of the team that carried out Singapore's first liver transplant, had appeared before the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for a disciplinary hearing after the Ministry of Health (MOH) lodged a complaint against her for allegedly overcharging a female Bruneian patient (read more).

The patient's original bill was more than $20 million, but was reduced to less than $10 million, reported The Straits Times. Part of the multi-million dollar bill was incurred by the set-up of a medical unit in Brunei for the patient, and by having at least one specialist from Singapore in Brunei throughout the last six weeks of the patient's treatment.

The charges for medical treatment provided by Dr Lim and several other specialists over a one-year period were also included in the bill.

The patient later went to Britain for further treatment, but subsequently died.

The hearing took place before a five-member disciplinary committee which was convened early this year.

At the beginning of the final session which took place a few weeks ago, the disciplinary committee chairman said that the committee had reached a decision, and that no submission from Dr Lim's lawyers was needed. This was objected to by Dr Lim's lawyers. The committee subsequently decided against continuing with the case after a closed-door discussion.

The Medical Registration Regulations state that if 'at any point in the proceedings, the disciplinary committee determines that the evidence brought forward is insufficient or there is no evidence to substantiate any or all of the charges, the disciplinary committee shall discontinue further proceedings on the charge or charges'.

Dr Myint Soe, a medical litigation lawyer interviewed by The Straits Times, said that this amounted to a de facto acquittal.

The SMC declined to comment on the case while Dr Lim was uncontactable, reported The Straits Times.

» Read also: Prominent surgeon faces SMC hearing