XN000022-1989-12-13 — Page 15

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1989

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ALTHOUGH THE CODE OF PRACTICE CAN BE REVISED BY THE BOARDS, AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL ENSURES THAT THE OVERSEEING COUNCIL APPROVES OF ANY SUCH CHANGE, FAILING WHICH THERE IS A SIX-MONTH PERIOD FOR NECESSARY ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE THE REVISED CODE DAN BE PUT INTO PRACTICE.

"THIS WILL GIVE TIME FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO INFORM LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL OF SUCH DIFFERENCE OPINION BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE BOARDS. LEGISLATORS CAN THEN, FELT NECESSARY, INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS то MAKE IT REQUISITE FOR DOCTOR'S REFERRAL, DR IP SAID.

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MOTION TO POSTPONE BILL'S PASSAGE

THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR MOVED A MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WEDNESDAY) TO SUSPEND FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 UNTIL VARIOUS DETAILED REPRESENTATIONS FORM THE CONCERNED PROFESSIONS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED.

THIS WOULD ALLOW THE ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS CONCERNED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THEIR OBJECTIONS TO THE COUNCIL. HE ADDED.

SPEAKING IN THE RESUME DEBATE ON THE BILL. MR MCGREGOR SAID THE BILL WOULD AFFECT A LARGE NUMBER OF SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS, SUCH AS PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND CHIROPRACTORS. AS WELL AS MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO PREFERRED TO BE TREATED BY THESE PROFESSIONALS WITHOUT HAVING FIRST TO APPROACH A GENERAL PRACTITIONER EITHER FOR EXAMINATIONS OR X-RAY SERVICES.

HE SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS INVOLVED CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF MISUSE OF X-RAY SERVICES THAT WOULD JUSTIFY THEIR HAVING TO REQUIRE REFERRAL TO GENERAL PRACTITIONERS WHEN X-RAYS WERE REQUIRED.

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MR MCGREGOR ADMITTED THAT HE HAD LITTLE KNOWLEDOE OF THE SUBJECT. BUT THE LATE RECEIPT OF WRITTEN PROTESTS AND THE NATURE THESE PROTESTS HAD PERSUADED HIM THAT THERE WAS JUSTIFICATION SEEKING A DELAY IN THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL TO ALLOW THOSE AFFECTED EXPLAIN THEIR CASE.

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