Press Releases
Tripartite Platform to enhance operation of Medical Council of Hong Kong holds its first meeting (with photos)
To enhance the operation of the Medical Council of Hong
Kong, the Government has set up a tripartite platform
comprising doctors, representatives of patients’ interests
and consumers’ interests, and Legislative Councillors to
promote understanding and communication, as well as provide
views and deliberate on amendment proposals to the Medical
Registration Ordinance (MRO). The Tripartite Platform held
its first meeting today (November 15).
Matters discussed at the meeting include the composition of
the Medical Council, the current situation of its complaint
investigation and disciplinary inquiry mechanism, as well as
major issues and concerns raised by the previous term
Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and the general public
over the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 2016.
Members also discussed the work plan of the Platform and
agreed to meet once a month in the next three months. The
Platform will continue to discuss the complaint
investigation and disciplinary inquiry mechanism at the
meeting next month, taking reference of the relevant
mechanisms of other jurisdictions. Members will then discuss
possible amendment proposals to the MRO at the two meetings
in January and February next year.
"The Government has provided additional financial provision
of $6.2 million to the Medical Council to enhance the
efficiency of complaint handling through administrative
measures as far as possible within the remit of the existing
legislation. However, constrained by the existing
legislation, it takes legislative amendments to
substantially reduce the processing time of complaint
investigations and disciplinary hearings," a spokesman for
the Food and Health Bureau said.
The spokesman pointed out that more than 950 complaints have
been accumulated so far. It is estimated that it would take
about six years on average to complete one complaint case
from receipt of the complaint to disciplinary inquiry, he
added.
“In response to the demand of the community for expediting
the complaint handling process, and enhancing the
accountability, credibility and transparency of the Council,
the Government plans to re-introduce the Medical
Registration (Amendment) Bill into the LegCo as soon as
possible in the first half of next year,” he said.
Convened by the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health
(Health), the Platform consists of 21 members. The medical
sector, groups advocating the rights of patients and
consumers, and the Legislative Council each have six
representatives in the platform.
The membership list of the Tripartite Platform is as
follows:
Convenor:
Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health)
Members:
Mr Tommy Cheung Yu-yan (Legislative Council)
Mr Chan Han-pan (Legislative Council)
Ms Alice Mak Mei-kuen (Legislative Council)
Dr Kwok Ka-ki (Legislative Council)
Dr Helena Wong Pik-wan (Legislative Council)
Dr Pierre Chan (Legislative Council)
Professor Joseph Lau Wan-yee (Medical Council of Hong Kong)
Dr Luk Hung-to (Hong Kong Academy of Medicine)
Dr Leung Ka-lau (Hong Kong Medical Association)
Dr Yeung Chiu-fat (Hong Kong Doctors Union)
Dr James Fung Tak-kun (Hong Kong Public Doctors’
Association)
Dr Au Yiu-kai
Mr Yuen Siu-lam (Hong Kong Alliance of Patients’
Organizations)
Mr Alex Lam Chi-yau (Hong Kong Patients’ Voices)
Mr Ng Hang-sau (Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation)
Mr Tim Pang Hung-cheong (Society for Community Organization)
Mr Simon Chui Chun-king (Consumer Council)
Ms Lisa Yip Sau-wah (Public Complaints Committee of the
Hospital Authority)
Ex-officio Members:
Head, Healthcare Planning and Development Office, Food and
Health Bureau
Secretary, Medical Council of Hong Kong
The terms of reference of the Tripartite Platform are
enhancing communication and promoting understanding on
proposals aiming to enhance the credibility, transparency
and efficiency of the Medical Council in terms of
composition, complaint investigation and disciplinary
inquiry mechanism; and offering views, deliberating on and
seeking to forge common ground to the largest extent
possible on proposed legislative changes to the composition
and operation of the Medical Council having regard to
prevailing international practices and unique local
circumstances.
Information and discussion papers of the Platform are
available at the website of the Food and Health Bureau (http://www.fhb.gov.hk/en/press_and_publications/otherinfo/161100_tripartite_platform/index.html).
Ends/Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:14
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