Health Bureau pushes workforce expansion in MCHK reform plan

The proposal expands lay members, streamline complaint handling.

The Health Bureau submitted a paper to the Legislative Council Panel on Health Services regarding legislative amendments to the Medical Registration Ordinance, reforming the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) membership and complaint procedures.

Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health, said the government plans to introduce the amendment bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of the year, according to a press release.

The proposal revises the MCHK structure—currently comprising 24 medical practitioners and eight lay members—by increasing the number of lay members and adding primary healthcare representatives.

Proposed amendments to the complaint mechanism will require the MCHK to set time frames for each case stage and establish a progress monitoring system, the press release noted.

Complainants and doctors will also gain the right to request reviews of Inquiry Panel decisions or lodge court appeals, whilst the Inquiry Panel will adopt court findings of fact from convictions. Doctors convicted of serious offences resulting in imprisonment face immediate removal from the register.

The government also proposed opening special registration to non-Hong Kong permanent residents and Hong Kong permanent residents, addressing the doctor shortage and competition for healthcare talent.

The Government and the MCHK will expand Secretariat support, including a team for complaint investigations and additional legal and administrative personnel.

The MCHK will engage medical experts from different specialties to provide advice and participate in inquiries. New assessors will receive training and support throughout the complaint process.