XN000022-1988-06-24 — Page 14

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1988

POWER TO HOLD MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS SOUGHT

AN AMENDMENT BILL WHICH AIMS AT STREAMLINING THE WORKING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 SEEKS TO PROVIDE POWER TO THE FIVE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS OF THE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS SKT UP UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, TO HOLD EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION.

THESE EXAMINATIONS ARE DESIGNED ΤΟ TEST THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARD OF THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NO RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION.

UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, THE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS OF THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS, RADIOGRAPHERS AND OPTOMETRISTS WILL BE EMPOWERED TO DRAW UP THEIR CODES OF PRACTICE TO REGULATE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROFESSIONAL PERSONS CONCERNED.

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HOWEVER, THE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS ARE REQUIRED ΤΟ KEEP THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL INFORMED OF SUCH CODES AND SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS.

THE COUNCIL IS SET UP UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE То CO-ORDINATE AND SUPERVISE THE WORK OF THE FIVE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BOARDS.

THE BILL WILL ALSO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR APPLICANTS OF PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION FROM BEING PROSECUTED FOR PRACTISING WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED WHILE THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE STILL BRING PROCESSED.

UNDER THE BILL, PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION STATUS WILL BE GRANTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PRACTISING IN THAT PROFESION FOR MANY YEARS BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS OR TRAINING FOR FULL REGISTRATION.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS. TO LAY DOWN RESTRICTIONS ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WITHOUT SUPERVISION TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC FROM BEING TREATED BY INEXPERIENCED PERSONS.

IT ALSO SEEKS TO EXTEND THE CONTROL TO COVER PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS AND TEACHING INSTITUTES.

THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 6.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR BEALTH AND WELFARE, SEVENTH PLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CRNTRAL.

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