Policy Address

176.         The Review Committee on Mental Health is reviewing Hong Kong’s mental health policy to help the Government map out the future policy direction.  This year, the Government will earmark additional resources to provide new generation drugs for more patients in need, strengthen manpower to enhance in-patient and out-patient services and expand the Case Management Programme for patients with severe mental illness to cover all 18 districts in Hong Kong.

177.         Our growing and ageing population has led to a rising demand for healthcare services.  The Steering Committee on Strategic Review on Healthcare Manpower Planning and Professional Development is conducting a comprehensive review of the manpower demand in various healthcare professions.  It will recommend how to cope with the manpower demand and facilitate professional development.  The Government and the Medical Council of Hong Kong have taken measures to refine the arrangements for the licensing examination for medical practitioners, including increasing the examination sittings to twice a year and considering more flexibility in internship arrangements, in order to encourage qualified overseas doctors to practise in Hong Kong.  The HA will continue to recruit overseas doctors by way of Limited Registration and provide nurse training programmes.

Contents | Next