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修訂《醫生註冊條例》

政府日前（2月24日）公佈，表示會將《醫生註冊（修訂）條例草案》刊登憲報，並提交立法會審議。條例其中一項修訂，是將醫務委員會（醫委會）業外委員由4名增至8名，令委員總人數由28名增至32名，以期改善醫委會的投訴調查和紀律研訊的效率。但政府未有相應增加由選舉產生的業內委員數目，破壞了醫委會內委任與選舉產生的委員1對1的比例。

香港醫學會十分理解市民對醫委會處理投訴上嚴重滯後有所不滿，所以亦認同改革醫委會。醫委會每年收到的醫療投訴眾多，若然只增加業外委員，而不同時增加業界代表填補建議中第二個初級偵訊委員會及平行聆訊委員會的主席空缺，亦難以處理更多的個案。

本會必須指出，醫委會的角色並非單純處理投訴，同樣重要的功能是確保及促進醫生的專業水平，維持道德水平和紀律，亦要規管醫療研究與新技術發展。這些都是非常專門的範疇，醫生才能理解和掌握。所以醫委會內需要有足夠的業界代表，才能盡其職能，這也正是專業自主的作用。

政府提及在專業團體自我規管上加強公眾參與是國際趨勢，然而制度民主化亦是民心所向。若然只增加由特首直接委任的業外委員，委任委員人數便會超過總人數的一半，通過的政策或會向政府傾斜。我們認為，醫委會內需要維持平衡的聲音，才能發揮保障市民利益的功效。

本會在2016年1月，就醫委會的組成進行了問卷調查徵詢業界的意見。約有13,412份問卷成功送抵收信人，有效的回覆共有2,964份，回覆率為22.10%。近八成的回覆認為委任與選舉產生的委員比例，應維持不變（即1比1）。調查結果詳見下表。

(文轉後頁)

問題：你認為委任與選舉委員的比例應為：（選其中一項）

		數量	百分比
	維持不變， 即1比1	2,354	79.42
	改成其他比例**	563	18.99
	漏空/其他	47	1.59
	總計	2,964	100

另外，本會亦在2月6日召開特別會員大會，出席會員一致通過採取「香港醫學會向來支持香港醫務委員會增加業外委員，惟選舉產生的委員與委任委員的比例須維持一比一」的立場。

上述數據反映業界對維持選舉產生的委員佔半數的堅持。本會曾多次向有關當局表達業界的憂慮及訴求，但政府卻沒有考慮和作出修訂，對此本會表示極度遺憾。我們促請政府收回條例草案，與業界詳細討論，以產生一個具效率、透明度及公平的醫委會。

二零一六年二月廿六日

編輯備忘：

香港醫學會成立於一九二零年，旨在聯繫政府、各公立醫療機構、大學及私人執業的醫務工作者，交流意見，團結一心。醫學會致力將最新的醫療資訊及醫務發展傳遞與會員，提倡會員遵行專業操守，進而服務社會，維護民康。

PRESS

RELEASE

26 February 2016

Amendment of the Medical Registration Ordinance

The Government announced its proposal to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance on 24 February 2016.   The amendment bill will be tabled for deliberation at the Legislative Council in due course.  One of the major amendments is to increase the number of lay members in the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) from four to eight, taking the total membership from 28 to 32.  The change was supposed to enhance MCHK’s efficiency in complaint investigation and disciplinary inquiry.  Unfortunately, the Government refused a corresponding increase in the number of elected members.  Consequent upon the change the current 1:1 balance of appointed to elected membership in MCHK will not be maintained.

The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) fully understands the dissatisfaction of the public in respect of the delay in handling complaints.  We, therefore, are supportive of introducing changes to the structure of MCHK. Nevertheless, increasing lay membership alone without adding Council members who are registered medical practitioners to take up the chairmanship of the additional Preliminary Investigation Committee and parallel Inquiry Panels, the amendment bill cannot really bring about substantial improvements.

One has to understand that, the role of MCHK is not restricted to handling complaints and disciplinary hearings, its other core functions include assuring and promoting quality in the medical profession, fostering ethical conduct, and monitoring medical research and development of advance technologies. These require highly specialized knowledge that only doctors can understand and manage.  As such, there is a practical need to maintain sufficient doctor members in MCHK in order to fulfill its function.  That explains the need of professional autonomy.

While the Government highlighted that increasing public participation is a worldwide trend, one must not forget that pursuance of democracy is also a common goal. Increasing only lay members who are appointed by the Chief Executive of HKSAR will render appointed Council members the majority in MCHK. Decisions or policies favorable to the establishment will get through without difficulty.  We believe that a healthy balance in the Council is crucial in safeguarding the welfare of the public at large.

In January 2016, HKMA conducted a survey to solicit doctors’ views on the composition of MCHK.  By 1 February, a total of 2,964 valid responses were received out of 13,412 questionnaires successfully sent, giving a response rate of 22.1%.  The vast majority (nearly 80%) expressed that the appointed to elected ratio should remain at status quo (1:1). The detailed result is shown below:

Q: Do you think the appointed to elected ratio should: (choose one)

		Frequency	Percentage
	Remain at status quo, i.e. 1:1	2,354	79.42
	Change Ratio**	563	18.99
	Left blank/ Others	47	1.59
	Total	2,964	100

Change Ratio**

Suggested Ratio with Less Appointed Member: 521 (17.58%)
Suggested Ratio with More Appointed Member: 42 (1.42%)

Moreover, at the Extra-ordinary General Meeting of HKMA held on 6 Feb 2016, members present unanimously agreed to adopt “The HKMA has always been supportive of increased lay membership, given a 1:1 ratio of appointed to elected membership in the Medical Council of Hong Kong is maintained” as our position.

The above indicated the profession’s prominent wish of maintaining equal number of appointed and elected members in MCHK. The HKMA has on multiple occasions reflected the concerns of the medical profession to responsible officials.  The Government has nonetheless proceeded to table the amendment bill unaltered to the Legislative Council. The HKMA is greatly disappointed with the Government's disregard of the Medical Profession's concerns.  We hereby ask the Government to withdraw the amendment bill and restart the discussion with the profession in constructing an efficient, transparent and fair Medical Council.

Notes to editors:

The Hong Kong Medical Association, founded in 1920, aims to bring together Hong Kong's government, institutional, university and private medical practitioners for an effective exchange of views and co-ordination of efforts.  The foremost objective of the Association is to safeguard and promote public health.  The Association speaks collectively for its members and aims to keep its members abreast of medical ethics, issues and advances around the world.  In fulfilling these goals, the association hopes to better serve the people of Hong Kong.