XN000022-1997-01-08 — Page 45

30 -

Nurses working in private hospitals

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Since the implementation of the Nurses Registration (Amendment) Ordinance in 1996, the use of the term "nurse" is restricted to registered nurses and enrolled nurses only. Does the Government know:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the number of persons without recognised nursing qualifications currently employed in patient care work in private hospitals;

the number of persons employed in patient care work in private hospitals who have been dismissed for not possessing a recognised nursing qualification, since the enactment of the above Ordinance; and

whether the Government will request the management of the private hospitals concerned to consider employing the persons mentioned in (a) above on a short-term contract basis, so as to enable them to continue with their patient care work until they have obtained a recognised nursing qualification?

As far as we know, there are about 80 persons without recognised nursing qualification currently employed in patient care work in private hospitals.

The law does not prohibit the employment of persons not possessing a recognised nursing qualification to work in private hospitals under the supervision of registered nurses. The law, does however, prohibit such persons from using the title of "nurse". We do not know the reasons. behind private hospitals' decisions to dismiss staff.

As terms of appointment are a matter between the employer and the employee, it would be inappropriate for us to interfere in the management of private hospitals by suggesting specific terms of appointment.

End