XN000022-1989-12-13 — Page 9

WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 13. 1989

PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC NOT DIRECTLY AFFECTED

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE PRESENT SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS AMENDMENT: BILL 1989 THAT WOULD DIRECTLY AFFECT THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC EXCEPT THAT IF THE BILL WOULD NOT BE PASSED THE PRESENT ORDINANCE WOULD REMAIN FLAWED AND HENCE STATUTORY REGISTRATION AND THE MAKING OF A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE CODE OF PRACTICE COULD NOT PROCEED. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY } .

SPEAKING AGAINST A LEGCO MOTION BY THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR. SEEKING TO DEFER DEBATE ON THE BILL. MR SHIPMAN SAID THE 188UE NOW IN QUESTION. AS HE UNDERSTOOD IT. WAS POSED PRIMARILY BY A GROUP OF CHIROPRACTORS. WHOSE PRACTICE WAS NOT FORMALLY RECOGNISED OR REGULATED IN HONG KONG. WHO CLAIMED THAT THEIR PRACTICE WOULD BE LIMITED BY A PROPOSED PROVISION IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR

RADIOGRAPHERS.

MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PRACTICE OF THE CHIROPRATIC WOULD BE SEVERELY LIMITED. IF REFERRAL FROM A REGISTERED MEDICAL OR DENTAL PRACTITIONER WERE REQUIRED BEFORE A RADIOGRAPHER MAY TAKE THE X-RAY OF A PATIENT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT CHIROPRACTIC WAS NEITHER A FORMALLY RECOGNISED NOR REGULATED PROFESSION IN THE HEALTH CARE SERVICE OF HONG KONG.

"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT EMPLOY CHIROPRACTIC OR PROVIDE SUCH SERVICE AND THERE ARE NO TRAINING FACILITIES LOCALLY FOR THAT PROFESSION." HE ADDED.

MR SHIPMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE POWER OF EACH BOARD TO PREPARE AND TO REVISE A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR MEMBERS OF ITS OWN PROFESSION WAS ALREADY PROVIDED BY SECTION 26 OF THE ORDINANCE.

"THAT EXPLAINS WHY WE HAVE NOT SOUGHT TO CONSULT THE CHIROPRACTIC PROFESSION BEFORE INTRODUCING THIS BILL. HE SAID.

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HOWEVER. MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT STAFF OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH HAD MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS AT THE ASSOCIATION'S REQUEST TO DISCUSS THE WIDER ISSUE OF THE PRACTICE OF THE CHIROPRACTIC KONG AND THE CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE ACCESS TO X-RAY TESTS.

IN HONG

"AS THE LATTER SUBJECT RELATES TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE TO BE PREPARED BY THE RADIOGRAPHERS BOARD. THE ASSOCIATION'S VIEWS WERB

REFERRED TO THE BOARD.

HAS RECENTLY REITERATED ITS

"I UNDERSTAND THE ASSOCIATION OBJECTION TO THE PROVISION ON DOCTOR'S REFERRAL IN THE PRESENT DRAFT OF THE RADIOGRAPHERS' CODE OF PRACTICE AND THE BOARD WILL BE MEETING SHORTLY TO CONSIDER THESE VIEWS." HE SAID.

/MR SHIPMAN