'Significant response' to UK doc-hiring drive

The Hospital Authority reported a "significant response" to recent recruitment events in London and Manchester.

Some 300 medical students and doctors from the United Kingdom attended the events either in person or online.

The delegation - which included representatives from the authority, two medical schools in Hong Kong, the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Medical Society of the UK - provided participants with the latest information on working in the city, registration arrangements and specialist training development.

Esteemed medical professionals, such as Philip Chiu Wai-yan and Simon Ng Siu-man from Chinese University, Leo Poon Lit-man and Kelvin To Kai-wang from University of Hong Kong and assistant director of health Jackie Leung Ching-kan were present to address questions.

The overseas medical talent inquired about various aspects of public health-care services, including clinical work in public hospitals, teaching and research opportunities in universities and positions in public health and primary health care.

The representatives provided positive and informative responses, highlighting the convenience of the new registration scheme and the diverse career prospects available in Hong Kong's public healthcare sector.

Authority chief executive Tony Ko Pat-sing expressed satisfaction, saying "they showed enthusiasm and a serious consideration of returning to serve patients in Hong Kong."

He emphasized the advantages of working in the Hong Kong public health-care sector, including the working environment, remuneration packages and opportunities for development.

Ko also expressed confidence "in recruiting suitable nonlocally trained doctors" and announced the authority's proactive approach to promoting recruitment in various countries and regions.

"Overseas recruitment activities have now become regularized, with representatives visiting different places to promote and recruit talented individuals," Ko said.

The authority will maintain close contact with the participants and verify their qualifications for working in Hong Kong. To facilitate the process, a designated team has been established to assist participants in finding suitable jobs and arranging other necessary procedures.

In a previous statement, authority chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling had anticipated that, by the end of the year, more than 250 nonlocally trained doctors will come to Hong Kong to work, including 200 to be employed long-term.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com