HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11 January 1989
香港立法局———————————一九八九年一月十一日
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SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, the existing system of hospital based training produces nurses who meet the requirements for registration set by the Nursing Board of Hong Kong. In addition, the standard of training is considered adequate to enable nurses to discharge their duties in a satisfactory manner. Since the functional requirements of the nursing service are being met, the Government has no plans at present to replace the existing system with degree level courses based at local academic institutions.
MR. CHOW: Sir, in view of the fact that since 1983 the International Council for Nurses has been helping Mainland China to re-establish degree programmes in nursing and in the United Kingdom the introduction of degree programmes in nursing is also in progress, will the Government accept that Hong Kong's existing nursing education system lags behind both well developed countries and China?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I understand that the Hong Kong Polytechnic is actively pursuing with the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee (UPGC) a proposal to introduce in 1990 a four-year degree course in nursing involving an annual intake of 40 students. I have recently told the UPGC'S Medical Sub-Committee that I have no objection in principle to this proposal. Initially, however, there might be problems in providing clinical placement for such students in the Government's overcrowded regional hospitals, but I do not believe that the problems are insurmountable, particularly since the Polytechnic is proposing to place only half of the students in government hospitals for clinical training. I do hope that with good will on all sides the practical problems can be overcome.
MR. CHOW: Sir, from the reply, I have gathered the impression that the plan is actually a short-term plan. In view of the fact that the ever increasing specialization of medicine and surgery has made it necessary for nurses to improve their standard and knowledge in a wide range of fields different from the training provided during apprenticeship, will the Administration consider introducing a comprehensive long-term plan for improving the standard of professional training for nurses in Hong Kong?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, the registration standards and curriculum for training of nurses in Hong Kong are determined and monitored by the Nursing Board. The existing programme based in nine major hospitals is producing some 1 300 qualified nurses annually who are registrable
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