Proposed legal changes will allow non-locally trained nurses to work in Hong Kong without having to pass exam
- New pathway for admission of qualified non-locally trained nurses aims to address shortages in public health, social welfare sectors
- Social Welfare Department estimates that to meet future demand, residential care homes will need around 200 additional nurses starting in 2028
Non-locally trained nurses could be registered in Hong Kong without having to pass the city’s licensing exam under proposed legal changes to address acute manpower shortages in the public health sector.
Under the Health Bureau’s proposals, a new pathway for admission of qualified non-locally trained nurses will be set up so those who have worked full-time in “specified institutions” for “a certain duration” will be eligible for registration or enrolment in Hong Kong.
They will not “need to take the licensing examination”, according to a paper prepared by the bureau for discussion at a meeting of the Legislative Council’s health services panel on Friday.
The proposals seek to create a temporary registration or enrolment system to allow overseas nurses to come to Hong Kong for academic exchanges and clinical demonstrations for a short period.
The paper said the changes aimed to enhance “manpower supply of nurses, in particular in the public healthcare and social welfare sectors”, and also the professional development of the workers.
The bureau would need to amend the Nurses Registration Ordinance and hoped a bill could be tabled to Legco in the middle of the year.
The Nursing Council of Hong Kong regulates the profession. They are divided into two groups, registered and enrolled, with the former requiring more extensive professional training.