Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ10: Professional qualifications of clinical psychologists
Following is a question by the Hon Tsang Yok-sing and a written reply by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today
(October 24):
Question:
It has been reported that the Division of Clinical Psychology of the Hong Kong
Psychological Society has pointed out that at present, no statutory regulatory
mechanism has been established for formulating the professional qualifications
of clinical psychologists; there is only the registration regime for clinical
psychologists administered by the Society. Some courses have also claimed to be
able to help those enrolled gain psychologist qualifications. However, in
reality, only the University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong
Kong are currently recognised in Hong Kong for providing courses which meet the
standards, while the "qualifications" obtained through the courses available in
the community are not recognised in Hong Kong. The existing legislation also
fails to regulate the relevant situation. In this connection, will the
Government inform this Council:
(a) of the existing regulation of the professional qualifications of people
providing clinical psychology consultation services and clinical psychology
courses; and
(b) how it will step up regulation of the above, so as to prevent unqualified
people from providing the services concerned and unrecognised institutions from
offering the courses concerned?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) At present, clinical psychologists are not subject to statutory
registration, but they can register with the society-based system. Besides, the
majority of clinical psychologists work in the public sector, in which their
qualifications and work are already under control.
According to the information provided by the Education Bureau, currently we do
not have specific legislation regulating the provision of clinical psychology
courses. As regards courses conducted in Hong Kong which lead to the award of
non-local higher academic qualifications by a non-local institution or non-local
professional qualifications by a non-local professional body, they should be
registered under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation)
Ordinance (Cap 493). In order that a course can be registered, the non-local
institution concerned must be recognised by the relevant accreditation authority
in the relevant country, and has in place effective measures to ensure that the
standard of the course is maintained at a level comparable with a course
conducted in that country leading to the same qualification and is recognised as
such by that institution, the academic community in that country and the
relevant accreditation authority in that country.
The Education Bureau has pointed out that the recognition or otherwise of
individual courses by individual local professional bodies does not fall within
the ambit of the above ordinances.
(b) In assessing whether to strengthen regulation, the Administration will take
into account a series of factors, including the possible hazards caused to the
public in case of any misconduct or substandard service by practitioners of the
relevant professions. If there is a need to strengthen regulation, higher
priority will be accorded to health care professions with a larger proportion of
practitioners working mainly in the private sector and having more frequent
contact with patients.
Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:00
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