DH responds to media report on quality and professional qualifications of personnel of private health check centre

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     In response to a media report on the quality and professional qualifications of personnel of private health check centre, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (April 25) said that the professional registration and regulation of various healthcare professionals in Hong Kong (including medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) and radiographers) are handled by their respective boards/councils in accordance with relevant legislations. The DH is taking follow-up actions against a private health check centre in Mong Kok for suspected violations of the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359), and has referred the case to the Police for further investigation. The DH will fully co-operate with the Police investigation and provide professional support when necessary.

     In Hong Kong, the Medical Laboratory Technologists Board and the Radiographers Board are statutory bodies established under the Ordinance and its subsidiary legislations. Based on the principle of professional autonomy, these two boards regulate the professional conduct of registered MLTs and radiographers respectively, to ensure the quality of medical laboratory testing and radiological diagnosis/therapeutic services. Anyone who wishes to practise as an MLT or a radiographer in Hong Kong must register with the respective board. Under the Ordinance, it is an offence for anyone to practise as an MLT/radiographer without being registered in that profession. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The spokesman reiterated that according to the Codes of Practice issued by the Medical Laboratory Technologists Board and the Radiographers Board respectively, no registered MLT or radiographer should perform any laboratory tests for medical diagnosis or treatment, or perform any diagnostic imaging on humans in the absence of a referral from healthcare professionals such as a registered medical practitioner or dentist.

     The professional registration of various healthcare professionals in Hong Kong (including doctors, nurses, radiographers, and MLTs) is handled by their respective boards/councils in accordance with relevant legislation. Members of the public can access the lists of registered healthcare professionals at the websites of the respective boards/councils.

     If any misconduct by a registered healthcare professional is suspected, members of the public can also lodge complaints with the respective boards/councils. The respective board/council will follow up on each complaint and, if necessary, refer the case to other law enforcement agencies.

Ends/Thursday, April 25, 2024
Issued at HKT 21:00

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