The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) delegation participated in the recruitment events in London of the United Kingdom (UK) organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for two consecutive days (April 1 and 2), together with the representatives of the Department of Health and the two medical schools in Hong Kong, to promote the latest pathway and registration arrangement for medical students and medical practitioners from Hong Kong to return and serve in the city, with a view to attracting more non-locally trained doctors to join the public healthcare sector and serve patients in Hong Kong.

     The delegation attended the "Hong Kong Day" event hosted by the Hong Kong Medical Society of the UK and explained to the medical students how they can exempt from examination to obtain full registration after working for a certain period in Hong Kong's public healthcare institutions through special registration, limited registration and other channels. The delegation also introduced opportunities for receiving specialist training and obtaining specialist qualification in public healthcare institutions after returning to Hong Kong. 

     The delegation will also meet a group of medical practitioners, introducing the working environment in public hospital, career prospect and other living arrangement in Hong Kong, hoping to attract them to return and work in Hong Kong.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, is delighted that the delegation successfully began its visit. Professor Lo said, "The Chief Executive proposed in the 2022 Policy Address that we must be more proactive and aggressive in competing for talents. The Health Bureau has spared no effort to attract, retain and develop healthcare talents. This delegation is taking the initiative to attract different medical students and practitioners coming to Hong Kong, serving the HA, the Department of Health and the two medical schools in Hong Kong with their talents."  

     The HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, said, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to meet with more than 200 Hong Kong medical students and medical practitioners in person and online in London. Their responses were very positive, showing great interests in returning to work in Hong Kong. We have demonstrated our utmost sincerity and hope they will seriously consider returning to serve our patients."

     Dr Ko added that the HA will maintain close contact with the participants by a dedicated team. The HA will verify qualifications of those interested in returning to work in Hong Kong and complete the relevant approval and appointment procedures as soon as possible. The HA will also assist them in other procedures related to their return to Hong Kong, as well as provide other necessary support so that they can join the HA's work without any worries.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) is a supporting organisation of the "Hong Kong Day". The Director-General of London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, addressed the participants in a pre-recorded message. Mr Law said, "Competing for talents tops the agenda of the HKSAR Government. The Government is making every effort to provide the most facilitating and favourable environment for global talents to thrive in the city. In the medical field, the new pathway for qualified non-locally trained doctors to register and practise in Hong Kong is a ground breaking development in recent years."

     During their stay in London, the delegation will also visit different medical schools to promote Hong Kong's public healthcare service.

     The government has earlier announced 75 medical qualifications recognised by the Special Registration Committee. The HA will make every effort to recruit eligible non-locally trained doctor through limited or special registration. The HA will also actively promote these schemes in different countries and regions to attract more non-locally trained doctors to join Hong Kong public healthcare sector to meet the growing demand of services.

     The HA has established various online platforms (see appendix) to handle enquires from medical students and medical practitioners and will provide full assistance.

Ends/Sunday, April 2, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:06

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