HCCC issues public warning Re:Medsound Diagnostic Imaging

The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) is concerned about ultrasound services provided by Ms Li Shen and MedSound Diagnostic Imaging Pty Ltd between 31 January 2017 and 20 November 2020.

The Commission has obtained information that Ms Li Shen, owner and operator of Medsound, has been performing ultrasound examinations as well as writing and issuing reports of the ultrasound findings without any recognised ultrasound or medical qualifications or registration in Australia. The vast majority of the ultrasound examinations have been bulk billed by Medicare and Ms Shen has been unlawfully using Medicare provider numbers to facilitate payment for the examinations.

Click here to read the HCCC public notice.

The Commission is liaising closely with the Australian Department of Health (who are addressing  Medicare fraud aspects) to identify patients who have been impacted and also the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in relation to the allegations of providing radiology services without the appropriate registration.  The Commission is also working closely with the NSW Ministry of Health, and will refer the matter to NSW Police.

Medsound is located at Suite 15, 14 Edgeworth David Avenue Hornsby NSW 2077. It provides general and specialist ultrasound services for abdominal, pelvic, musculoskeletal, gynaecological, early pregnancy, kidney, breast, neck, DVT, echocardiography and musculoskeletal injections.

The Commission has already imposed an Interim Prohibition Order and is continuing its investigation.

The expectation is the risk for such patients is low. If any patients have attended this practice and have concerns about their diagnosis you may need to arrange to see them again and review their case. Patients can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to discuss their concerns. The healthdirect team have been made aware of this public warning and its related issues.

Click here to download a list of Q&As for potential patient concerns. (105 KB)

As the case is still under investigation, more information may be provided in the next few days. When we have further information, we will provide this to you as an urgent priority.

What should consumers do to protect themselves?

The Commission strongly urges individuals who have had an ultrasound performed at Medsound between 31 January 2017 and 22 November 2020 to contact their referring GP or other specialist medical practitioner.

If you can’t see the GP who referred you, another GP will be able to request your results and provide advice about whether there is anything else you need to do, such as having a repeat scan.

Your GP will be able to see what scan you had done and whether it needs to be repeated. Your GP may take a history of why the scan was requested, and whether you have had any other scans since that time. In some cases nothing further would be required.

If you cannot recall if you had a scan at Medsound and you want to check, contact your regular GP or the medical practice you attend. They should be able to look at your medical record and tell you if you have had a scan at Medsound.

If your scan needs to be repeated please note that ultrasound scans are different to X-rays or CT (or CAT) scans, and do not expose you to any radiation. If you are recommended to have a repeat ultrasound scan, you will not be exposed to any radiation.