Nurses allege sex abuse at CUHK Medical Centre ICU

At least six nurses at CUHK Medical Centre's intensive care unit have come forward with complaints about sexual abuse by a senior male nurse, said a source.

The women alleged that they were subjected to both verbal and sexual abuse.

The private hospital in Sha Tin has confirmed that it has received complaints and initiated an internal investigation.

According to the source, the victims were subordinates of a senior male nurse and that at least six of them have reported the incidents to the hospital, revealing their identities in the process.

However, the source said that the senior nurse was merely transferred to another department without facing any demotion as a consequence of the incidents.

The insider further alleged that "the hospital instructed the victims not to disclose the incidents, raising concerns about the hospital's handling of the situation and its attempt to suppress the victims and maintain a low profile."

In response to inquiries from The Standard, CUHK Medical Centre said it attaches great importance to colleague's opinions and complaints.

"After receiving the relevant complaints, we have solemnly followed up the incidents in accordance with established mechanisms and suspended the relevant person from duties for a thorough investigation," it said.

According to the results of the internal probe, we are of the opinion that there is insufficient evidence to constitute a criminal offense, therefore we did not file a police report for the incidents.

However, the hospital did not stop the nurses from lodging reports with the police over their allegations.

Regarding allegations that the hospital instructed the victims not to disclose the incidents, the hospital clarified that it is customary for its human resources department to advise colleagues against disclosures due to considerations about personal privacy, internal investigations and penalties.

Ellen Ku Wai-yin, the president of the College of Nursing Hong Kong, declined to comment on the hospital's specific handling of the incidents but emphasized the importance of resolving such matters openly.

However, she told The Standard that "disputes should be addressed through open discussions between the victims and the accused person, which she considers to be the appropriate and standard approach to dealing with such issues."