XN000022-1994-09-07 — Page 3

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1994

DR

THE COMMISSION COMPRISED PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU AS CHAIRMAN, CHENG HON-KWAN, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG WAI-CHEE AND DR THOMAS LEUNG KWOK-FAI. MR SO RESIGNED FROM THE COMMISSION IN FEBRUARY UPON HIS APPOINTMENT AS COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS.

WILL

AM.

THE COMMISSION'S REPORT IS PUBLISHED TODAY, AND THE COMMISSION PRESENT ITS FINDINGS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 11.30

OPTOMETRISTS TO BE REGISTERED

THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS OF THE OPTOMETRY PROFESSION TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR UNDER THE OPTOMETRISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATION OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE.

"THE REGULATION HAS BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE OPTOMETRISTS BOARD AND THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL, AND WILL PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR THE PUBLIC BY ENSURING ADEQUATE STANDARDS IN THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

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"UNDER THE REGULATION, THE REGISTER FOR OPTOMETRISTS IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PARTS: PARTS I, II AND III FOR FULL REGISTRATION AND PART IV FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ONLY OPTOMETRISTS REGISTERED IN PART I CAN RESTRICTIONS.

PRACTISE WITHOUT

THOSE REGISTERED IN PART II SHALL NOT USE DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS (EXCEPT STAINING AGENTS) AND THOSE IN PART III SHALL NOT PERFORM WORK OTHER THAN REFRACTION.

OPTOMETRISTS REGISTERED IN PART IV SHALL ONLY PERFORM RELATING TO REFRACTION, OR REFRACTION AND CONTACT LENSES, APPROPRIATE.

WORK AS

ON QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANY PERSON WHO HOLDS A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN OPTOMETRY OR A PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN OPTOMETRY ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART I OF THE REGISTER.

BOARD

ANY PERSON WHO HOLDS A HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN OPTOMETRY OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC OR A CERTIFICATION FROM THE OPTOMETRISTS SHOWING A PASS IN AN EXAMINATION IN OPTOMETRY CONDUCTED UNDER 15A OF THE ORDINANCE WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART II.

SECTION

BOARD

THOSE WHO HOLD A CERTIFICATION FROM THE OPTOMETRISTS SHOWING A PASS IN AN EXAMINATION IN REFRACTION CONDUCTED UNDER SECTION 15A OF THE ORDINANCE WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART III.

/PART IV