TNAG-1611-FCO40-2214-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 51

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SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE

9 DECEMBER 1987 IN THE LEGISLATIVE/COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY,

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He said:

Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 1987

The Secretary for Health and Welfare moved the Second Reading of 'A Bill to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance'.

sir,

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I move that the Medical Registration (Amendment)

Bill 1987, be read the second time.

At present the Director of Medical and Health Services

is ex-officio chairman of the four bodies which are charged

with the registration and discipline of the medical, dental and nursing professions in Hong Kong. These are the Medical Council of Hong Kong, the Dental Council, the Nursing Board and the

Midwives Board.

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The Government now believes that it is no longer

appropriate that the Director should be the ex-officio head of

these bodies which are often required to act in a

quasi-judicial capacity in disciplinary enquiries involving

members of the four professions. Moreover for the Director to

relinquish the chairmanship would enhance the self-regulating

and independent status of the four professions.

l.c

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It is also considered appropriate for a lay element to

be introduced into each of the Boards and councils, to provide