"Apologies for Not Being Able to Ensure a Safe Recovery"
Psychiatrist and broadcaster Yang Jae-woong (42), who was sued over the death of a patient at the hospital he operates, appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s audit. He stated that he could not admit to any negligence on the part of the hospital.
On the 23rd, during his appearance as a witness at the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee audit, Yang responded to lawmakers’ questions about whether he acknowledged the hospital’s negligence related to the patient’s death by saying, "I do not acknowledge it."
Despite repeated questions about whether the medical staff violated their duty of care toward the patient, Yang said, "It is difficult to acknowledge (negligence)."
Psychiatrist and broadcaster Yang Jae-woong appeared as a witness at the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held by the Health and Welfare Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 23rd. After answering questions, he is returning to the witness stand. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier, a woman in her 30s, identified as A, who was hospitalized at Yang’s psychiatric hospital in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, died in May. At the time, A was admitted for addiction treatment and had been assessed by medical staff as having a high risk of self-harm or harm to others shortly before her death. She was reportedly isolated and restrained afterward. In June, A’s family filed a complaint accusing Yang, the hospital director, and six medical staff members of professional negligence resulting in death.
During the audit, Yang was asked questions such as "Was there an on-duty doctor at the hospital at the time of the patient’s death?" and "Did the on-duty doctor directly observe the deceased’s condition and give direct instructions?" but he avoided direct answers, citing that the matter is under investigation.
Although he did not admit to the hospital’s negligence, Yang expressed his apologies to the bereaved family. He said, "I have not... (directly apologized yet)," but added, "I have always intended to apologize to the family. Once again, I apologize for not being able to ensure a safe recovery after they trusted our hospital and admitted their loved one."
Earlier, in July, after the patient’s death, Yang issued a statement through his agency Mystic Story, saying, "The medical staff and I are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred during the patient’s hospitalization," and "I sincerely apologize to the deceased and the family who must be grieving."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to use this incident as an opportunity to investigate the actual conditions of isolation and restraint of psychiatric patients in hospitals and to prepare countermeasures. Minister Cho Kyu-hong acknowledged, "In the case of mental illness, the difficulty of treatment is high and the amount of resources required is large," and admitted, "It is true that this area has been neglected in policy priorities." He added, "I believe that all processes from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation must be well connected. If given time, we will develop proper measures."
Yang is also known as a broadcaster who has appeared on various programs such as SBS’s Morning Wide, MBC’s Live Today Morning, SBS’s Youth Nation, and Channel A’s Heart Signal.
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