First batch of nurses from the GBA Exchange Program hits 2-month mark

The Greater Bay Area Specialty Nursing Knowledge-Exchange Programme planned to bring in about 200 nurses from Guangdong to exchange for almost a year, with the first batch of 70 nurses already arriving in April and hitting the 2-month mark.

Local nurses said new blood from Guangdong have reduced their work pressure. A ward manager stated that it is much easier to complete specific tasks like changing diapers for the patients with the assistance of mainland nurses.

Mainland nurses said that they have familiar with the nursing environment in Hong Kong through the exchange program, and there were no difficulties when talking with the patients or using the systems of the Hospital Authority.

The second batch of 100 nurses is expected to arrive in Hong Kong at the end of the year or early next year, depending on the final details after discussion with the Guandong government.

HA said that the mainland nurses arriving in Hong Kong have to complete an 80-hour online course, assist the nursing work in the medical and geriatric ward under the supervision of the teachers, and complete a 44-hour per week internship training.

HA added that mainland medical workers could not work alone and have to be tutored one-on-one by local medical workers.