Hong Kong Legislative Council Reviews Doctor Registration Amendment; Patient Groups Show Broad Support
A patient coalition survey finds general support for proposed changes to Hong Kong's doctor registration law, including more public-sector and government-appointed doctor representatives. However, about 43 per cent of respondents worry that designated organisation elections could weaken patient-cent
The Legislative Council's relevant bills committee is scrutinising the proposed amendment to the Medical Registration Ordinance. A survey by the Alliance for Long-term Patients' Healthcare Reform found that respondents generally back the reform direction, including adding representatives from public medical institutions and government-appointed doctors, and reducing elected doctor members.
However, about 20 per cent of respondents felt the proposed proportion of non-professional members was still too low, with most of these respondents saying it should be raised to 40 per cent or more.
Concerns were also raised over the proposed 'designated organisation elections', with approximately 43 per cent of respondents believing these could undermine patient-centred representation. The alliance recommended that the amendment clearly define the qualifications and list of designated organisations to ensure patient self-help groups and carer organisations are adequately represented. It also highlighted that if doctors serve on the boards or executive committees of these organisations, it could affect the level of non-professional representation.
The alliance conducted an online survey from 12 September to 4 October, collecting 194 valid responses.