Over the past five years, the Hospital Authority has progressively increased the number of family medicine trainees from 68 in 1999/2000 to 98 in 2003/04.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong told legislators today the rise is due to the projected increase in need for specialists which in turn arises from the emphasis Hong Kong has placed on primary health care in recent years.

"We aim to provide training in family medicine for about 50% of specialist trainee intakes in the authority. Our policy objective is to develop a pluralistic primary-care model in Hong Kong," Dr Yeoh said.

The Government is committed to providing more community-based, patient-centred and integrated healthcare services.

This will enhance the health of the population by promoting lifelong wellness and care, improve health outcomes through self management and care support, and make the healthcare system more cost effective through rationalisation of service delivery and fostering closer collaboration with other community-based health care providers.

80% accepted for specialist training

Dr Yeoh said the number of graduates in medicine for 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 are 300, 313, 328, 345 and 322 respectively.

While many may want to seek specialist training, not all doctors like to become specialists. Over the past five years, an average of more than 80% of local medical graduates who apply for specialist training with the authority after completion of internship are offered resident positions each year.

Recognised training in certain specialties is also provided by the Department of Health, among other institutes. On average, it has employed about 26 doctors annually in the last five years.

40% of registered doctors in private practice

The average annual student unit costs from 1997/98 to 2001/02 are $566,000, $558,000, $609,000, $623,000 and $559,000, respectively.

Registered medical practitioners may seek employment in the public sector, with private medical institutions or engage in their own private practice.

Dr Yeoh said  there are more than 9,600 registered medical practitioners in Hong Kong. About 40% of them work in the private sector.

To ensure the supply of doctors is in line with the longer-term requirements of the population, and to minimise short-term fluctuations in the labour market, the Government will regularly review the manpower situation for healthcare professionals.