A FAMILY doctor from South Shields wrote out fake prescriptions to fuel his drug habit, a medical tribunal heard.
Dr Hung Kor wrote out the prescriptions for powerful painkillers in the names of his patients and receptionists.
The doctor, who worked at Flagg Court Health Centre and St George Medical Centre, both in South Shields, was so desperate, he used the identity of a 97-year-old care home resident to get hold of the drug dihydrocodeine.
He was convicted of the scam at Newcastle Crown Court in February 2011 and now faces being struck off.
Kor is not attending the hearing of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in central London.
Mark Savill, for the General Medical Council (GMC), said: “He was using someone else’s name to obtain prescription drugs for his own purposes.
“These were used to maintain a supply for his own purposes, because he was addicted to them.”
The Malaysian-born doctor is alleged to have attached the drug to his secretary’s usual prescription on several occasions.
Mr Savill said: “Kor was relying on her not wanting to lose her job. He banked on this lady handing the drug over to him. On at least two occasions, she complained to the practice manager.”
On another occasion, Kor used the name of a 97-year-old resident of a care home to obtain the drugs.
Mr Savill said: “This was a one-off fuelled by desperation.
“The doctor had been told that day that, the next Monday there was going to be a meeting at the primary trust because of his actions.”
The alleged offences took place over an eight-year period, between 2002 and 2010, while he was working in surgeries in South Shields.
Kor was convicted of three counts of obtaining property by deception and six of dishonestly making false representation after a week-long trial at Newcastle Crown Court in February 2011.
He was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months with supervision, and ordered to pay £8,000 court costs.
Kor worked at St George Medical Centre, in Laygate, South Shields, before moving to Flagg Court Health Centre, South Shields in 2004.
In 2011, 1,600 patients of Flagg Court were left looking for a new GP after the practice was closed.
Following Kor’s conviction at Newcastle Crown Court, NHS South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT) terminated his contract with them, meaning the practice had to close.
The hearing continues.
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