A surgeon who used a mobile phone during an operation says he believes people will ignore the outcry over his actions and make up their own minds.

Dr Tung Hiu-ming was speaking as Queen Mary Hospital's three-member disciplinary committee held a closed-door hearing to decide what action to take against him.

Taxi driver Gary Chung Chi-cheong, 45, accused the surgeon of having a telephone conversation about buying a car during an operation to remove a polyp from his colon on May 13 last year.

During the surgery, Mr Chung's colon was pierced and he needed a second operation the same day to treat inflammation of the abdominal wall.

Speaking for the first time since the controversy, Dr Tung told the South China Morning Post yesterday he would give his account of what happened in court if necessary. He said he did not want to get involved in a public slanging match with Mr Chung.

'I don't want to accuse anyone else. I don't think it's appropriate for a medical professional. My job is to cure patients.

'I don't think everyone will be affected by the news reports. They have their own opinion, but I don't want to comment further.' Dr Tung, who graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1989, said he was questioned during yesterday's hearing but had no idea of the verdict.

A friend of Dr Tung said last night that letters from more than 100 patients and doctors had been submitted to the committee to ask for leniency.

'We all think he is a good doctor. He is very responsible to patients. We hope the hospital will take this into account when making its decision. He is under great pressure,' said the friend.

Dr Tung has been suspended from all clinical duties.

The disciplinary committee was chaired by the hospital's general manager, Raymond Wong Siu-keung.

The other two members were a senior consultant and the head of another public hospital.

Hospital chief executive Dr Vivian Wong Taam Chi-wong said Dr Tung would be punished for his actions.

She said the decision of the independent disciplinary committee and punishment would be made public later.

The Hospital Authority's public complaints committee ruled earlier that it was inappropriate for Dr Tung to have a telephone conversation while carrying out an operation.

But it did not establish a relationship between the act and the complications Mr Chung suffered.

Mr Chung said his application for legal aid to sue the hospital and the doctor for negligence had been approved. He said his income had been slashed by 30 per cent since the incident as he could not sit for long periods.

'Every few hours I have to park my taxi for a rest. I used to work 12 hours a day, now it's only nine,' he said.

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