A Medical and Health Officer, charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) sentenced at Kowloon City Magistracy for misconduct by making bogus medical consultations and appointments.

Michael Ho Hung-kwan, 44, was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

The defendant was earlier found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office.

In sentencing, Deputy Magistrate Ho Wai-yang reprimanded the defendant for committing the serious offence, which constituted a breach of trust, and abusing the Hospital Authority’s (HA) resources.

The deputy magistrate added that a community service order was imposed on the defendant after taking into account his background and clear record.

The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the HA. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.

The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was attached to the Central Kowloon Health Centre (CKHC), a general out-patient clinic managed by the HA.

Between June 22, 2007 and November 28, 2008, the defendant made 16 bogus medical appointments in the computer system of the HA, purporting to show that his family members, including his parents and his son, had attended the CKHC for his medical consultati ons.

His parents were in fact not in Hong Kong at the time of the appointments, while his son was attending classes at a kindergarten.

On 12 out of the above 16 bogus appointments, the defendant also issued out-patient prescriptions for his family members, causing the HA pharmacy to issue prescribed medicines to them, the court was told.

The HA had rendered full assistance to the ICAC in its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Richard Ma, assisted by ICAC officer William Leung.