I REFER to the letter, 'Let more specialists join academy' (South China Morning Post, April 21).
Under the proposed new legislation, an Education Committee will be formed under the Medical Council of Hong Kong to determine the specialties under which names of registered medical practitioners may be included in the Specialist Register.
Although the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine may make recommendations to the Education Committee on the suitability of a person for inclusion in the Specialist Register, it is the council, upon the recommendation of the Education Committee, that has the authority to determine the qualification, experience and any other attributes that qualify a registered medical practitioner to have his name entered on the register.
Your readers may rest assured that all qualifications entitling a person for specialist registration will be carefully assessed by the Medical Council and its Education Committee on their own merits and there is no question of automatic recognition of particular qualifications. New specialities may in future also be included subject to the accreditation of the council, should the council feel this is appropriate.
NORA CHEUNG Secretary Medical Council of Hong Kong