HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 2 November 1988
香港立法局 ——————————一九八八年十一月二日
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SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, the statistics that I have with me do not provide the breakdown between registered and student nurses. I believe that the relative mix between registered nurses and student nurses is not static, because as student nurses become qualified they become registered nurses. I do not think, Sir, that there was any intention to play around with statistics. As regards the shortage and wastage figures quoted by Mr CHOW, and the questions he asked in relation to them, the answer is that advertisements for student nurses and registered nurses are placed throughout the year. These are supplemented by promotional efforts to recruit staff through career exhibitions, talks, pamphlets and posters. The response to these promotional efforts has to date been satisfactory. For example, in the current year, some 500 suitable applicants have been offered employment in the nursing grades. This compares with the total of 317 who left the service during the first six months of 1988-89 which means that if all 500 had been prepared to accept the offer of appointment, the vacancies would have been filled quite easily. But unfortunately, Sir, vacancies continue to exist because not all of these applicants accepted the offer of appointment and the extent to which this occurs, that is, the rejection of offers, appointment depends mainly upon the alternative opportunities for employment outside nursing and also on the overall labour situation. At present because of the overall shortage of labour, the opportunities for alternative employment are very attractive.
DR IP: If the establishment of nurses is based on that recommended last year by the Medical Development Advisory Committee rather than based on the current government establishment what will the shortage of nurses be for 1988-89?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I shall provide a reply in writing. (Annex VII)
DR LEONG: Sir, the Secretary for Health and Welfare provided us with a very impressive figure in respect of overseas and local training for nurses and technicians. Can the Administration inform this Council of the percentage that has been set for training by Government and the percentage of training acquired
by the staff themselves?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I do not have the information requested by Dr LEONG. I was under the impression that the figures that I had been given covered Government-financed training.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.