Hong Kong's Health Bureau has proposed requiring the Medical Council to set time frames for handling complaints, following public backlash over a 15-year delay in investigating an alleged medical blunder that left a child permanently disabled. The reforms also include changing the council's composition to include doctors with more diverse backgrounds and increasing the proportion of lay members. Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau said the changes aim to uphold professional excellence and build trust between doctors and patients.
Hong Kong authorities have proposed requiring the Medical Council to set a time frame for handling complaints, following a public backlash over a 15-year delay to an inquiry into an alleged medical blunder that left a child permanently disabled. The blunder occurred in 2009 and involved paediatrician Dr Sit Sou-chi.
The Health Bureau on Friday also proposed reforming the composition of the watchdog, bringing in doctors with more diverse backgrounds and qualifications, and increasing the proportion of lay members, who only accounted for eight of the 32-strong body. “The government aims to reform the Medical Council to ensure the highest standard of professional excellence, protect public health and strengthen the trust between doctors and patients, aligning with Hong Kong’s goal of becoming an international hub for medical innovation,” Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said. He said the government aimed to present the bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of the year.
The preliminary proposals were presented a day after the ombudsman slammed the council for its excessively lengthy complaint-handling process, with 11 cases stuck in limbo for more than 10 years. Among them was the case against Dr Sit Sou-chi.
