I AM writing in reply to the letter headlined 'Doctors practising 'illegally' ' (South China Morning Post, March 13).
Under the Medical Registration Ordinance, a doctor is required to apply each year for a practising certificate and to pay a fee. The Medical Council then issues a certificate, which is normally valid until December 31.
As there are some 8,000 registered doctors, the council is flooded with applications at the end of each year. It usually takes two or three months to process the bulk of applications, providing applicants provide all the information required.
I would like to reassure both doctors and patients that medical practitioners who have applied for, but not yet received, their 1995 certificates are not acting illegally by continuing to practise. The Medical Registration Ordinance allows for this situation.
Even so, the council is keen to improve its service.
To shorten the time taken to issue certificates, we have installed a new computer system. We are also exploring the feasibility of using autopay facilities to simplify payment of fees.