The Medical Council of Hong Kong, responsible for doctors’ self-regulation and discipline, has long faced criticism for delays and protecting professional interests over patients’ rights. The recent case that left a child disabled for life, in which the Medical Council took 15 years to
dismiss a complaint with no explanation, has exposed glaring flaws in its disciplinary process.
Public confidence has been shaken not only by the delay, but also by the unexplained decision to dismiss the case. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau is right to order the Medical Council to
review its mechanism for handling complaints and make recommendations for improvements within eight weeks. The ombudsman’s announcement of
an investigation into the council’s complaint handling is another welcome step.
But as accusations emerged over the weekend of the council’s mishandling of
another complaint, it is clear fundamental reforms must be on the cards. While the government deserves credit for demanding accountability, this must be the starting point for the long-overdue structural reform that the council desperately needs.
Professor Lo’s determination to
challenge the watchdog shows that protecting public trust is more important than upholding the status quo. The investigations must lay the foundation for comprehensive reform, as outlined in the Legislative Council’s May 2024 motion to overhaul the Medical Council.
Past efforts, such as increasing lay participation and reducing complaint resolution times, have fallen short. While the average time to conclude cases has improved to 43 months, it remains unacceptably long, and the process is still opaque and inaccessible to the public.
True reform must focus on restoring faith in the Medical Council by making it more transparent, timely and patient-centric. While safeguarding professional standards is critical, this cannot come at the expense of patients’ rights. The council must establish clear, public-facing guidelines for handling complaints and ensure accountability for its decisions.
