Measures set to ease doctor shortage

June 19, 2013

Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says the Hospital Authority has taken steps to address manpower issues in the face of challenges posed by an ageing population and increasing demand for healthcare services.
 
In response to a question in the Legislative Council today, he said the authority has addressed the issue in recent years by recruiting part-time doctors and non-local doctors practising with limited registration. It has also retained staff by streamlining work procedures and boosting morale.
 
In 2013-2014, the authority expects to recruit about 300 additional doctors to meet service demand. As at March 2013, it had increased the number of part-time doctors from 60 in 2011 to 290, providing the equivalent support of about 110 full-time doctors.
 
The authority enhanced the remuneration package and allowed greater flexibility for employing retired and semi-retired doctors part-time in early 2012, without affecting other young doctors' promotion prospects.
 
In addition, full-time doctors' turnover rate dropped from about 5% in 2010-11 to 4.4% in 2012-13 through promotions, strengthened professional training and work streamlining.
 
At the same time, an additional $200 million has been allocated to increase the number of first-year first-degree places in medicine by 100 to 420 a year, which will add to the total number of doctors starting from 2015-16.
  
The Government has also set up a high-level steering committee to review healthcare manpower planning and professional development, to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of Hong Kong's healthcare system, Dr Ko added.