Loyal patients defend beloved GP after vaccine ‘misunderstanding’ forces his popular Darlinghurst clinic to close
A beloved Sydney doctor endorsed by millionaire advertiser John Singleton has been forced to close his popular clinic following a ‘misunderstanding’ about vaccines.
Darlinghurst GP Dr Kwong Tam, 78, was issued a notice from the Medical Council of NSW in June after alleged public health concerns.
The authority said the notice related to Dr Tam’s knowledge of vaccines, including how they were stored and administered to patients.
As a result, he must not administer any vaccinations to patients and must undergo a performance assessment under on-site supervision.
Health officials claimed Dr Tam had a large modern vaccine-specific fridge but ‘never monitored or recorded fridge temperatures’, adding there were large stocks of vaccines in the fridge, with up to half beyond its expiry date.
But the veteran GP told Daily Mail on Friday the restrictions were ‘unfair’ and were the result of a misunderstanding between him and the council officials.
‘I haven’t done anything wrong. Full stop. My conscience is clear,’ Dr Tam said, adding his vaccine fridge automatically records temperatures every five minutes.
He said he is happy to stop administering vaccines altogether at his clinic, particularly as pharmacies have largely taken up this service in most communities.
Darlinghurst GP Dr Kwong Tam (pictured) has said restrictions imposed on him by the Medical Council of NSW are unfair after alleged concerns about his method for vaccine storage
Advertising billionaire and long-time patient John Singleton (pictured with Dr Tam) said the GP has never had a complaint in the 51 years that he has been practicing
Dr Tam held a press conference outside his Darlinghurst practice on Thursday where he was supported by up to 50 friends and former patients.
Among them was advertising billionaire and long-time patient John Singleton, who had his arm around Dr Tam as they spoke to reporters.
Mr Singleton said his friend was a ‘saint’ who ‘never had one complaint in 51 years’.
‘He’s a soft, gentle, caring, tolerant person. He’s not a fighter, nor should he have to be,’ the millionaire told the crowd.
‘But the people who turned up today (at the press conference) are a testament to how much he’s loved.
‘Any specialist or surgeon at St Vincent’s will have a ‘Tam’ story that is moving in its generosity and simple love for his fellow man.’
The council on Friday said Dr Tam has the right to appeal the decision at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which is independent of the authority.
The GP can also request that the council review the conditions if there is new information or a change in his circumstances.
Dr Tam (pictured) said he has done nothing wrong and that the restrictions have upset patients
Dr Tam has said his solicitors are still discussing their next step.
The council told Daily Mail it had met independently with Dr Tam to discuss concerns around his practice.
‘He wasn’t able to address those concerns and so the Council placed conditions on his registration in order to protect public safety,’ it said.
‘One of those conditions was to undergo an assessment of his performance.
‘Before an assessment can take place, a practitioner needs to supply the council with information, including about their employment arrangements.
‘It has not received any communication from Dr Tam to this effect.’
A medical practitioner can continue to work with conditions imposed on their registration so long as they comply with the requirements.
