Dr Samantha Bailey is under investigation by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal for posting controversial Covid-19 videos on her YouTube account to thousands of subscribers.
Key Points:
- Christchurch doctor Samantha Bailey is under investigation by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT) due to complaints about her COVID-19-related YouTube videos.
- The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) alleges that Bailey engaged in misconduct by spreading “disinformation” about her views on COVID-19.
- A man with permanent name suppression raised concerns about one of Bailey's videos that appeared on his YouTube feed while he was seeking authoritative information about COVID-19 due to family overseas.
- The man found Bailey's video insensitive and offensive, noting her use of memes and hand signals that he felt undermined the public health sector.
- He reported Bailey's conduct to the Medical Council.
- Another expert witness, Dr. Michelle Balm, described Bailey's videos as attention-seeking, clickbait, and containing statements that were “blatantly not true.”
- Bailey's criticism of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and vaccines, among other topics, was questioned by Dr. Balm.
- Bailey's videos were played during the tribunal, showing her discussing COVID-19 topics while referencing research papers.
- The difference between misinformation and disinformation was highlighted, with Bailey's content alleged to include disinformation that could mislead people.
- Bailey did not engage in the tribunal's process, and her attempt to stop the investigation in 2021 was declined by a High Court judge.
- The hearing is expected to continue for a week.
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