The Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing a series of reforms to the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), was today published in the Government Gazette.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau outlined that the MCHK performs important functions. This encompasses accreditation of local medical school programmes and medical interns' training upon their graduation, registration of medical practitioners, the Licensing Examination for non-locally trained medical practitioners, continuing medical education, the formulation of professional codes and guidelines, and handling complaints concerning the professional conduct of medical practitioners.

Prof Lo added that these responsibilities are vital components in ensuring the high quality and efficiency of Hong Kong's healthcare system.

“To enhance the executive-led structure and promote good governance, the Health Bureau has proposed to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance (MRO) after a comprehensive review of the provisions, putting forward holistic and targeted reform measures to bring relevant legislations and the professional regulatory regime up to date, supporting the MCHK to discharge their statutory duties in a more effective manner in fulfilling its mission of ensuring justice, maintaining professionalism and protecting the public.”

The bill proposes amendments across four key areas.

Firstly, it seeks to reform the composition of the MCHK to diversify the professional views represented. This includes adding three lay members, appointed by the Chief Executive, who are registered healthcare professionals but not than medical practitioners, in order to promote multidisciplinary collaboration.

The proportion of lay members would consequently be increased to 31%.

Secondly, the bill would enhance the MCHK's complaint handling mechanism by making it more independent, fairer, more transparent and efficient. The Preliminary Investigation Committee and the Inquiry Panel will be renamed as the Medical Investigation Committee and the Medical Tribunal Panel respectively.

Furthermore, the MCHK will be required to devise and promulgate target timeframes for various stages of complaint handling.

Thirdly, the bill strengthens public protection. This includes a mechanism to immediately suspend the rights to practise of medical practitioners convicted of serious offences.

Fourthly, it introduces other relevant amendments covering the need for medical training, continuing medical education and talent attraction.

Prof Lo stressed that handling complaints and conducting disciplinary inquiries are important functions of the MCHK.

“When the professional competence or conduct of individual medical practitioners may fail to meet the required standard, the MCHK will decide through inquiries whether to impose disciplinary sanctions in accordance with its independent quasi-judicial functions empowered by the MRO.”

In drafting the bill, the Government took into account a review carried out by the MCHK on its complaint handling mechanism, as well as the Ombudsman's direct investigation operation report on the relevant work of the MCHK secretariat. The Government also met Legislative Council (LegCo) members during the process.

The bill will be introduced in the LegCo for a first reading on July 8.