XN000022-1987-11-27 — Page 17

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1987

BILLS GIVE PROFESSIONAL COUNCILS RIGHT

TO ELECT OWN CHAIRMEN

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND EXISTING LEGISLATION PROVIDE FOR NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR SELECTING THE CHAIRMEN OF MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, THE DENTAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, NURSING BOARD OF HONG KONG AND THE MIDWIVES BOARD OF HONG KONG.

TO

THE

THE

THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF ONE LAY MEMBER ON EACH OF THE COUNCILS AND BOARDS.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987, THE DENTISTS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1987, THE NURSES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 AND THE MIDWIVES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IS BOTH A MEMBER AND THE CHAIRMAN OF EACH OF THE FOUR COUNCILS AND BOARDS WHICH ARE STATUTORY BODIES CHARGED WITH THE REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS AS DOCTORS, DENTISTS, NURSES AND MIDWIVES.

"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE DUAL ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AS THE GOVERNMENT'S PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER AND EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN OF THESE COUNCILS AND BOARDS WOULD ENHANCE THE SELF-REGULATING AND INDEPENDENT NATURE OF THESE PROFESSIONAL BODIES.

"THE BILLS THEREFORE SEEK то PROVIDE FOR THE DIRECTOR TO RELINQUISH HIS POSITION AS CHAIRMAN OF THESE COUNCILS AND FOR THE FUTURE CHAIRMEN TO BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS THEMSELVES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE DECEMBER 9.

COMMENTS ON THE BILLS MAY BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY AND WELFARE AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR THE OMELCO JACKSON ROAD.

BOARDS AND FROM AMONG

COUNCIL ON

FOR HEALTH OFFICE AT 8

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