The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, together with the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, met with Council members of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing (HKAN) today (September 13) to exchange views on topics in relation to the manpower and professional development of nurses.
      
     At the meeting, Professor Lo discussed with HKAN Council members the latest progress, effectiveness and way forward of the Voluntary Scheme on Advanced and Specialised Nursing Practice (the Scheme). Professor Lo was pleased to note that the Scheme has progressed well, and he encouraged the HKAN to keep on assisting and fostering the further development of the Scheme.
      
     Professor Lo said, "Over the years, the HKAN has endeavoured to promote the training of advanced practice nurses and actively enhance the standards of the nursing profession. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the HKAN for its continuous support to the Government in taking forward various healthcare policies and the training and development of the nursing profession."
      
     The meeting also touched upon the manpower shortage of local nurses and various relevant measures of manpower training. Professor Lo stated that the Government would continue to allocate resources to increase the local nursing training places. In the face of the severe manpower shortage of nurses, especially in the public healthcare system, the Government will also actively explore and consider appropriate measures, as well as maintain communication with relevant stakeholders to harness the collective wisdom and insights.
      
     With the Government's extensive efforts in developing and establishing the primary healthcare system in recent years, Professor Lo suggested the HKAN at the meeting to add primary healthcare elements to their training programmes or activities, so that nurses can provide more effective support to primary healthcare, thereby further alleviating the pressure on the public healthcare system and enhancing the health of the general public.

Ends/Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:24

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