15 non-local doctors to be interviewed

November 09, 2011

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says the Hospital Authority has set up a selection board to conduct interviews with the 15 shortlisted non-local doctors for the medicine, anaesthesia, and accident & emergency departments.
 
In response to an enquiry by Legislator Fred Li today, Dr Chow said the 15 candidates were shortlisted from 160 applicants.
 
Subject to the Hong Kong Medical Council’s approval of their limited registration applications, the selected non-local doctors will be employed as resident doctors, equivalent to entry-rank doctors in the Hospital Authoriy, and be allowed to work only in public hospitals.
 
In 2009-10 and 2010-11, the turnover rates of doctors were 5.2% and 5% in the specialty of medicine, 6% and 4% in the specialty of anaesthesia, and 3% and 5.7% in the specialty of accident and emergency.
 
He said the concerned Hospital Authority departments will continue to work in a cooperative manner and will offer appropriate support and guidance to the non-local doctors.
 
He said a high-level steering committee will be set up by the end of the year to conduct a strategic review of healthcare manpower planning and professional development.
 
The steering committee will put forward recommendations in the first half of 2013 with a view to ensuring the healthcare system's healthy and sustainable development.