TV Probe Alleges Sick Note Fraud at Tsuen Wan Clinic
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
TVB programme Scoop reported on October 19 that an undercover team found a registered Chinese medicine practitioner consulting from a subdivided flat in Tsuen Wan allegedly issuing sick leave certificates without proper examination and providing inflated receipts for insurance claims. The report also alleged serious hygiene problems at the clinic, including cockroaches and medicines that had expired for more than five years.
Key Points
- Scoop said it received a tip-off that several employees at a property management company repeatedly took sick leave after visiting the same Chinese medicine practitioner.
- In an undercover visit, the practitioner allegedly skipped normal consultation steps and directly asked how many days of sick leave the visitor wanted.
- The programme said certificates for three to seven days of sick leave were offered for HK$100, and the practitioner acknowledged such false documents were illegal.
- A female undercover staff member was reportedly able to obtain a HK$680 receipt for insurance reimbursement without receiving any actual treatment.
- The clinic was shown inside a subdivided unit on Chuen Lung Street, Tsuen Wan, with cluttered corridors, foul smells, cockroaches and expired medicines.
Why It Matters
The case raises concerns about possible abuse of paid sick leave and insurance claims, especially because Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance allows sickness allowance for sick leave taken for at least four consecutive days. The programme also cited legal and professional risks, including possible deregistration and criminal liability for knowingly issuing false documents.