By Terry Xu
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) has announced via a press statement that it has terminated its patient coordinator, Roy Ngerng Yi Ling’s contract with immediate effect on 10th June 2014 (Tuesday).
Ngerng was informed about his dismissal at around 3.30pm this afternoon. The dismissal of Ngerng was first reported by social political blog, "Five Stars and a moon" at 4.28pm this afternoon.
The hospital wrote, "TTSH has terminated its contract with Mr Roy Ngerng with immediate effect because of conduct incompatible with the values and standards expected of employees, and for misusing working time, hospital computers and facilities for personal pursuits"
Ngerng has been employed as a patient coordinator at the Communicable Disease Centre in TTSH for the past two years. He has been in the news recently due to the on-going defamation suit involving Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The case will be heard in court.
In the press statement, TTSH explains that the dismissal is due to the continued misuse of the hospital's time and resources to pursue personal and non-job-related interests despite a warning given last May when Ngerng's contract was up for renewal.
The hospital also said that Ngerng’s recent public actions and conduct have caused the hospital grave concern.
It said, "Mr Ngerng’s conduct was incompatible with the values and standards we expect of our employees. While our staff are free to pursue their personal interests outside work, they must conduct themselves properly, honourably and with integrity. In particular, they cannot defame someone else without basis, which essentially means knowingly stating a falsehood to the public."
Ministry of Health (MOH) has separately issued a statement via the press in response to the dismissal of Ngerng. Channel News Asia reports that the ministry said that "it supports TTSH’s decision to terminate Mr Ngerng’s contract, as his “actions show a lack of integrity and are incompatible with the values and standards of behaviour expected of hospital employees”." The statement is not available in the MOH's website.
Ngerng’ posted on his facebook this afternoon saying, "The stress of the court case has made it difficult for me to concentrate on my job. And my advocacy on the CPF has also taken a toil on my ability to do my job as well. I am still proud that I have had launched some first campaigns at my workplace at my time here, and formed some closed relationships. Though, I could have done a lot better over the past few months. My supervisors have been patient but they also have a responsibility to uphold and I respect that."
Press statement by Tan Tock Seng Hospital as attached below.
Media Statement on Termination of Contract with Mr Roy Ngerng