Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ10: Recruitment of Advanced Practice Nurse

     Following is a question by the Hon Michael Mak and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (March 3):

 

 

Question:

 

     The Hospital Authority (HA) launched an 18-month pilot scheme in September 2003 which involved the creation of new posts entitled Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).  Appointees must hold a relevant master's degree or are attending relevant courses, and are employed on contract terms.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it knows, in respect of HA:

 

(a) why the possession of a relevant master's degree or taking of relevant courses is set as one of the entry requirements for APN posts;

 

(b) the number of APN posts created;

 

(c) the numbers of applications received and appointments made so far, and the numbers of appointees who have a relevant master's degree and are attending relevant courses respectively;

 

(d) if HA has assessed whether the appointment of APNs on contract terms makes the appointees feel that their jobs are not permanent, and in turn affects the quality of nursing services; if so, of the assessment results; and

 

(e) the criteria that will be adopted for assessing whether APN posts should be created on a territory-wide basis upon the completion of the pilot scheme?

 

Reply:

 

Madam President:

 

(a) The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is part of a proposed new nursing grade structure of the Hospital Authority (HA), designed to enhance professional accountability and role of nurses with the principle of linking career advancement of nurses to professional competence and development.  The APN position is the first promotional level within the proposed new nursing grade structure and the possession of a Master's degree or Postgraduate Diploma, which indicates a higher professional competence and stronger committment to the nursing profession by the applicants, is set as one of its entry requirements.

 

(b) HA has created about 200 APN positions to be filled in 2003/04 and 2004/05.

 

(c) As at February 2004, HA has appointed a total of 130 APNs. All of them either possess a Master's degree/Postgraduate Diploma or have enrolled in such a course.  These positions are filled by recruitment from within HA.  The total number of applications received so far is 2,674.

 

(d) Contract/fixed term employment is the prevailing human resources policy.  It is not limited to APNs only but applies to all promotional ranks in HA irrespective of their grades.  The APN pilot scheme provides more career advancement opportunities for nurses as well as promotes professional competence.  Consequently, the creation of APN posts is intended to bring about greater motivation and committment among the nursing staff and should improve quality of patient care.

 

(e) The APN Pilot Scheme is introduced into all hospital clusters.  The HA will conduct a review in the fourth quarter of 2005 on the future developments of the Scheme having regard to the service needs of the community.

 

Ends/Wednesday, March 3, 2004

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