ENG-2010 — Page 229

Health 1 183

Nurses

The University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Open University of Hong Kong provide basic registered nurse training. The four universities recruited 887 nursing students into their four-year general nursing degree programmes in 2010, while the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong enrolled another 98 nursing students into their three-year Master Degree of Nursing programmes. In addition, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University enrolled 167 students into its three- year higher diploma nursing programme.

The Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, St Teresa's Hospital and the Hong Kong Baptist Hospital Nursing School also provide basic enrolled nurse training. Between them they recruited 163 nursing pupils into their two-year Diploma in General Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) programmes. In addition, the Open University of Hong Kong enrolled 88 students and 61 students into their two-year Higher Diploma in Nursing programme and Higher Diploma in Mental Health Nursing programme respectively. During the year, 70 nurses with professional nursing qualifications obtained outside Hong Kong passed the licensing examinations conducted by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong and were awarded practising certificates for registered nurses or enrolled nurses.

The HA provides basic registered nurse training through its three-year higher diploma programme. A total of 300 registered nurse students were recruited in 2010. The Authority also runs a two-year enrolled nurse basic training programme and recruited a total of 350 pupil nurses in 2010. During the year, it also recruited 220 pupil nurses into its two-year enrolled nurse basic training programme for the social welfare sector.

The HA is committed to strengthening the core competence of nurses and enhancing the quality of nursing care. In line with its overall strategies on healthcare services, its Institute of Advanced Nursing Studies seeks to strengthen the training of nurses in the community and speciality care services to encourage nurses to improve their professional standards through continuous learning. The institute provides simulation skills training for new nursing graduates to strengthen their skills in clinical care and management of medical emergencies, and offers new overseas scholarships to experienced nurses to enable them to attend overseas training for increased international exposure. Courses offered by the institute include speciality nursing certificate courses, professional competence enhancement programmes and e-learning programmes. The HA also promotes exchanges between nurses in Hong Kong and the Mainland, Macao and other countries.

Laboratory Services

Government Laboratory

The Government Laboratory offers a comprehensive range of analytical and advisory services to support the Government in upholding its various commitments to the protection of public health. In the financial year 2009-10, it spent $137.17 million on providing analytical services for the protection of public health.