Hong Kong to reform Medical Council to improve handling of complaints

ExclusiveHong Kong to reform Medical Council to improve handling of complaints Proportion of lay members to be increased and time frames for cases made public under amendments headed to Legco in about two weeks, SCMP learns Hong Kong authorities intend to reform the city’s medical watchdog by raising the proportion of lay members to more than a third and requiring the time frames set for handling complaints to be made public, the South China Morning Post has learned. The proposed amendments to the Medical Registration Ordinance follow a 15-year delay in the Medical Council’s handling of a complaint against Dr Sit Sou-chi, who was accused of a blunder that left a boy permanently disabled in 2009. “The reform aims to uphold the professional autonomy while enabling the Medical Council to perform its functions more effectively, and it would strengthen the transparency and the accountability of the watchdog,” a source close to the policymaking process told the SCMP. The insider said that the amendment bill would be submitted to the Legislative Council in about two weeks, and authorities began briefing lawmakers and other relevant parties on Wednesday. Under the proposed amendments, the composition of the council, which currently comprises 24 doctors and eight lay members, would be revamped, the source said.