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Statement by the Medical Council of Hong Kong
The following is a statement issued by the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, Professor Rosie Young, in response to views expressed yesterday (Thursday) by Hong Kong students studying medicine abroad:
The Medical Council of Hong Kong considers it important to point out that the Universal Licensing Examination is not intended to bar medical students graduating from the UK, Australia or other Commonwealth countries from coming back to Hong Kong to practise medicine.
It merely requires them to pass a qualifying examination followed by a period of assessment for the purpose of registration; a system to ensure that those who return from abroad and are allowed to practise medicine in Hong Kong are at a standard that the Medical Council can recommend to our public.
The Medical Council believes that the holding of a Universal Licensing Examination for all overseas medical graduates seeking to practise in Hong Kong now and in future is the fairest way to all.
In this regard, the Medical Council trusts that these bona fide medical graduates from the UK, Australia or other Commonwealth countries should have no difficulties in passing the uniform standard of assessment set by the council.
Within the ambit of the law as it now stands, the Medical Council has explored some administrative means to help these medical graduates wherever possible. For example, the Medical Council will explore all possible means to minimise the time gap between the holding of different parts of the Licensing Examination so that students may complete the entire examination within the shortest time span, that is about three months' time.
Besides, they may be exempted from taking Part II of the Licensing Examination provided that English is used as the medium of instruction in the course of their medical training.
Concerning the 12-months' period of internship training following the Licensing Examination, the Medical Council will recommend to the Licentiate Committee to consider reducing the period of assessment within its authority on the basis of individual performance and upon application by the medical graduates concerned.
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