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Following is a question by the Hon Ma Fung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, in the Legislative Council today (April 13):
Question:
Some professionals have pointed out to me that the systems of mutual recognition of various professional qualifications established between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions can attract overseas professionals to work in Hong Kong, thereby promoting the development of Hong Kong's professional services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows which of the following describes the present situation of the respective mutual recognition of professional qualifications between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany, Mainland China and Taiwan (list the names of the countries/territories concerned in Annex 1 by profession):
(i) holders of overseas professional qualifications may directly obtain professional qualifications in Hong Kong through the mutual recognition system;
(ii) holders of overseas professional qualifications may obtain professional qualifications in Hong Kong by taking examinations run by the relevant professional bodies of Hong Kong;
(iii) the persons concerned are required to get local accreditation for their overseas professional qualifications before they may take the examinations run by the relevant professional bodies, and may obtain professional qualifications in Hong Kong upon passing the examinations;
(iv) the overseas professional qualifications concerned are not recognised by the relevant professional bodies of Hong Kong; and
(2) what plans or concrete measures are in place to assist holders of overseas professional qualifications in obtaining the relevant professional qualifications in Hong Kong?
Reply :
President,
My reply to the question raised by the Hon Ma Fung-kwok's question is as follows :
(1) The present situation of the respective mutual recognition of professional qualifications between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany, Mainland China and Taiwan (by profession) is set out at Annex 2.
(2) Regarding the healthcare professions, to facilitate admission of more non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong, the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) has increased the frequency of the Licensing Examination from once to twice a year since 2014 and has introduced more flexible arrangement for the relevant internship requirement since 2016. Any person who has passed the Licensing Examination may apply for exemption from the internship training in a specialty if he/she has a comparable specialist experience. The internship period can be shortened from one year to six months. In addition, the Government has introduced a Bill into the Legislative Council in March 2016 to handle matters related to doctors, including enhancing the flexibility in admitting doctors from abroad to meet local needs. Under the Bill, the maximum term of registration and renewal of medical practitioners with limited registration will be extended from not more than one year to not more than three years. The MCHK has also been discussing with the Government how to improve the transparency of the Licensing Examination. The Government is actively considering the relevant proposal.
The Dental Council of Hong Kong and the Nursing Council of Hong Kong have also increased the frequency of the Licensing Examination from once to twice a year to attract more qualified non-locally trained dentists and nurses to practise in Hong Kong.
In response to the challenges of an ageing population and increasing demand for healthcare services with higher expectations, the Government is conducting a strategic review on healthcare manpower planning and professional development in Hong Kong. The review covers 13 healthcare professions that are subject to statutory regulation, viz. medical practitioners, dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, midwives, Chinese medicine practitioners, pharmacists, chiropractors, medical laboratory technologists, occupational therapists, optometrists, physiotherapists and radiographers. It aims to make recommendations that would enable our society to better meet the projected demand for healthcare manpower as well as to foster professional development. The review is expected to be completed in mid-2016. The Government will publish the review report and take forward the recommendations as appropriate upon completion of the review.
Ends/Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:16
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