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Transcript of remarks by S for Health at media session
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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at a media session after attending a meeting at the Legislative Council this morning (March 10):
Reporter: What do you think about the proposed new pathways for nurses to come? Can they help? Whether Hong Kong's working environment is attractive enough? Do you have any inputs on the dentist issue as well?
Secretary for Health: For all the medical profession, manpower is a very important issue. Because in healthcare service, the most important element is our talents, our healthcare manpower. Regarding the attractions, the more we can attract talents from outside and increase our manpower, the more favourable will be their working environment.
I think we have to stop the current vicious cycle when we have a high attrition and wastage rate in our staff, resulting in a worse working environment for them. We want to create a positive spin to increase our manpower, and that would help to improve their working conditions and set up a positive spiral. That will be an important attraction for them.
Reporter: How about the quality of services without the licensing exam?
Secretary for Health: These non-locally trained healthcare professionals, either nurses, doctors or dentists, will have their credentials assessed by respective councils and boards, and by looking at their working experiences. That will be an important gatekeeper for us. They will also be assessed by employer institutes, in particular the Hospital Authority, which will be another gatekeeper.
Once they are in service, we have on-the-job supervision by the respective teams including experienced nurses and doctors to supervise the work of these newly recruited staff from overseas. At the same time, they will also be under the supervision by their respective councils and boards, like the Medical Council and the Dental Council.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, March 10, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:05
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