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The steps that Hong Kong is taking to narrow down its widening doctor
shortage gap

Figure V.

HKSARG
Locally- Medical training places Further increase of
trained increased to 470 60 medical training places
each year from 2019-20
doctors 90% v.s. in 2005-06 to 2021-22

MCHK Limited Internship period
Non-locally Increase frequency Launch of Registration reduction for Lower threshold
for Service
of the Licensing
trained Examination from once Virtual Education contract period specialists under Resident post in
doctors to twice a year Resource Centre extended from Limited four specialties [4]
1 to 3 years Registration [3]
HA Promotion
Doctors at Launch of the Retirement age Launch of Locum opportunities for
the Hospital Special Retired & extended from Recruitment 200 Associate
Authority Rehire Scheme [1] 60 to 65 years Website [2] Consultants to
Consultants

2014 2015/16 2016/17 2018 2019 2020/21
Notes: [1] As at 31st October 2019, 65 doctors were working under the SRRS.
[2] As at 30th April 2019, 14 and 19 locum doctors worked at the rank of non-specialist and specialist, respectively.
[3] Eligible candidates must have passed the MCHK Licensing Examination, hold a specialist qualification comparable to a Fellowship of the Academy Colleges, and
have completed at least three years of full-time employment in the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health, the University of Hong Kong, or The Chinese
University of Hong Kong.
[4] Candidates with pre-intermediate level of qualifications will be considered for the specialties of Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and
Paediatrics.
Sources: HKSARG, 2017, 2018a, 2019c, 2019d, 2019e, 2020b; LEIP, 2018e, 2019b, 2019c; Hospital Authority, 2020b
In the past decade, Hong Kong has attempted a multifaceted approach to increase its doctor supply, including increasing
local medical training places, adjusting policies related to admitting non-locally trained doctors into the system,
and bettering retention measures to lower attrition rates in the public sector. While there have been efforts to boost
the supply of doctors in Hong Kong, these efforts have been scattered and unable to achieve a significant impact.

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