The Health Bureau, in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA) and the two medical schools of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), introduced a dedicated dual-track development pathway for medical, teaching and research talent who integrate clinical practices, teaching and research in their work.

Under this pathway, doctors aspiring to engage in medical, teaching and research work would hold positions at both the HA and the designated university, and could flexibly allocate their time between clinical services, teaching and research work as needed.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said today that the dual-track development pathway is a new initiative that goes beyond the existing employment arrangements in Hong Kong's public healthcare institutions and medical schools.

He pointed out that it provides a more fitting professional development pathway with tailor-made appointment and clinical work arrangements and a promotion ladder commensurate with the nature of their work as well as stronger support for their teaching and research duties, including conferring the title of university professor.

Prof Lo added that he hopes the dual-track development pathway will enable more doctors who aspire to engage in medical, teaching and research work to realise their ambitions and attract more non-locally trained doctors who are interested in clinical research and innovation to come to Hong Kong, to further strengthen the medical talent pool for the benefit of the public.

The HA and the two medical schools have started the relevant recruitment work progressively. To date, five doctors have been officially selected to participate in the dual-track development pathway.

Among them, four doctors from the Hong Kong Children's Hospital were appointed by the medical school of HKU while another doctor from the Department of Intensive Care of the New Territories East Cluster was appointed by the medical school of CUHK.

Furthermore, various doctors from the New Territories East Cluster are expected to join the medical school of CUHK through the dual-track development pathway within this year.