An Interim Orders Committee (“IOC”) has ordered that Dr Wee Teong Boo (“Dr Wee”) be suspended from 11 May 2019 to 21 October 2019. The suspension order replaces an interim order made on 22 April 2017, which subjected Dr Wee’s registration to certain conditions and restrictions (“the First Interim Order”). The IOC will issue its Grounds of Decision in due course.

Background

On 24 February 2017, the Singapore Medical Council (“SMC”) received information that Dr Wee had been charged in the State Courts with raping a female patient and molesting her at his clinic, Wee’s Clinic & Surgery, in 2015.

On 22 April 2017, the IOC, upon due inquiry into the information referred to it by the SMC and after considering the arguments by Counsel for Dr Wee and Counsel for the SMC, made the First Interim Order under section 59B(1)(b) of the Medical Registration Act (“MRA”) (refer to SMC’s earlier announcement dated 28 April 2017). On 29 October 2018, pursuant to section 59F(2) of the MRA, the First Interim Order was extended by the High Court for a period of 12 months, ie. until 21 October 2019.

On 25 February 2019, Dr Wee was convicted of sexual assault and outrage of modesty by the High Court, and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on 27 February 2019. Dr Wee has appealed against both the convictions and sentence. Nevertheless, in view of Dr Wee’s convictions and sentence, the SMC sought to replace the First Interim Order with an interim order that Dr Wee’s registration be suspended.

On 11 May 2019, the IOC, upon due inquiry into the information placed before it, and after considering the arguments by Counsel for Dr Wee and Counsel for the SMC, made an interim order that Dr Wee’s registration be suspended with immediate effect, until 21 October 2019.

Depending on the outcome of Dr Wee’s appeal, the SMC may apply to the High Court for an extension of the interim suspension order, and will also consider further disciplinary action against Dr Wee.