Dr My Le Trinh

Dr. My Le Trinh’s life story is one of triumph over adversity. Escaping the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime at the age of five, she endured the devastating loss of her mother, who was killed by the regime. Sent to live with her aunt in Vietnam, she spent several years under communist rule before making a daring escape as a boat refugee. At the age of twelve, she arrived in Australia, determined to build a new life.
Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country, language, and culture, Dr. Trinh excelled academically, graduating third in her high school class. Her hard work and resilience earned her a place at the University of Sydney, where she pursued medicine—a career she envisioned as a way to serve her community and honour her mother’s legacy.
For 27 years, Dr. Trinh was a highly regarded General Practitioner in Sydney. She cared for her patients with compassion and dedication, while also volunteering her medical expertise in rural Cambodia, offering free care to underserved communities. Her career remained exemplary until September 27, 2021, when two complaints were filed against her on the same day through the AHPRA portal, marking the beginning of an extraordinary and unjust ordeal.

Allegations and an Indefinite Suspension
The first complaint stemmed from Westmead Hospital, where a COVID-19 patient whom Dr. Trinh had treated for severe complications later presented with psychosis. Dr. Trinh believes this was likely caused by the virus or the high-dose steroids—a calculated and medically necessary decision that saved the patient’s life.
The second complaint came from an anonymous "John Smith," alleging inappropriate prescribing of ivermectin for COVID-19 patients. The complaint lacked credibility—the contact email bounced back, the phone number was disconnected, and no address was provided. Despite this, the HCCC treated the complaint as legitimate, disregarding their own policies requiring verified communication and documented patient consent, which neither Dr. Trinh nor her legal team has ever seen.
On October 27, 2021, following a rushed inquiry-style hearing, Dr. Trinh’s medical license was suspended indefinitely under emergency powers meant only for genuine crises. While Dr. Trinh does not know if her indefinite suspension was orchestrated, she believes the rushed inquiry, coupled with the decision to suspend her indefinitely, raises serious questions about the process.

After her suspension, Dr. Trinh was referred for investigation. However, internal documents suggest that the outcome of this investigation—her indefinite suspension—had been predetermined, raising doubts about the fairness and transparency of the process.

A Judicial Review and Financial Ruin

Seeking justice, Dr. Trinh brought her case to the Court of Appeal, where the focus was on the legality of indefinite suspensions under existing legislation. She believed her case could set a vital precedent for other health practitioners. Instead, her case was dismissed—a decision she found deeply troubling.
Dr. Trinh also found it unusual that the judicial panel comprised two retired judges and one newly appointed judge. This composition raised questions about the impartiality of the proceedings, especially in light of the significant precedent her case could have established.
Meanwhile, the financial toll of her suspension mounted. Her medical indemnity insurance company refused to cover her legal costs, citing her indefinite suspension as grounds for non-support. Over three years, she spent more than $200,000 of her savings on legal battles, leaving her financially drained.
Relentless Prosecution
The HCCC’s actions did not stop at suspension. They initiated a four-day prosecution hearing, seeking to revoke Dr. Trinh’s medical license for three to five years and demanded that she pay for the costs of the prosecution hearing. These proceedings exemplified a relentless pursuit, targeting a doctor who had spent her career saving lives and supporting her community, now being forced to bear the financial burden of a process that aims to strip her of her livelihood.

A Fight for Justice

Dr. Trinh’s ordeal is not just her story; it is a cautionary tale about systemic flaws in the regulatory and judicial systems. Her case raises critical questions: Can anonymous, unverifiable complaints dictate the fate of professionals? What safeguards exist to ensure fairness in disciplinary actions?
Despite the immense personal and professional toll, Dr. Trinh remains steadfast in her fight. Her courage and determination serve as a call for reform, challenging a system that prioritizes bureaucracy over justice.

Dr. Trinh’s story is a reminder of the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity and fighting for a system that truly upholds the principles of fairness and accountability.