XN000022-1984-06-27 — Page 25

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1984

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BILL ON OPTOMETRISTS BEING DRAFTED

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A BILL SEEKING TO BRING OPTOMETRISTS WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE, IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING, SAID TODAY,

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR CHING SAID THE BILL, NOW BEING DRAFTED, WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP+ BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT OPTICAL SHOPS ARE COMPETENTLY STAFFED TO OFFER ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC O: TH PRESCRIPTION AND FITTING OF CONTACT LENSES.

+THE ENACTMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION WILL ENABLE A BOARD TO BE APPOINTED TO PROMOTE ADEQUATE STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND CONDUCT AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY, AND TO CARRY OUT CERTAIN STATUTORY FUNCTIONS FOR THE REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINE OF PERSONS IN THE PROFESSION, MR CHING TOLD THE COUNCIL.

DRAFTING IS ALSO PROCEEDING ON NEW REGULATIONS TO BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.

THESE REGULATIONS, MR CHING EXPLAINED, WILL GIVE DETAILS OF THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF PERSONS SEEKING REGISTRATION AS OPTOMETRISTS.

THEY WILL ALSO RECOGNISE THE NEED FOR ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF PERSONS WISHING TO UNDERTAKE ANY CONTACT LENS WORK, INCLUDING SOFT CONTACT LENSES AND THOSE OF THE EXTENDED-WEAR TYPE.

STATING THAT SOME DIFFICULT POLICY ISSUES REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED, MR CHING SAID, TO ENABLE EXPERT ADVICE TO BE OBTAINED ON THESE ISSUES, AND ON THE PREPARATION OF THE NEW REGULATIONS, AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF PROFESSOR JOSEPH C.K. LEE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PENDING THE APPOINTMENT OF A STATUTORY BOARD.+

+ IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO BE CONSULTED ON THE PARTICULAR MATTER OF CONTACT LENSES, AND ON WHETHER THERE IS A NEED TO TAKE EARLIER REGULATORY ACTION IN RESPECT OF SUCH LENSES,+ HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT STEPS HAD ACCORDINGLY BEEN TAKEN TO CONSULT THE COMMITTEE. HAVING REGARD TO THE CONCERN THAT HAD BEEN PUBLICLY EXPRESSED.

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