Government swift to dismiss argument that there is a shortage of nurses in Hong Kong even as sector warns about problems for nurses in finding jobs. 

Lo Chung-mau, secretary for health of Hong Kong, has warned about a shortage of nurses in the city as the debate continues about a lack of nursing jobs in the city. 

He was swift to clamp down on the idea that there are job shortages. In public remarks earlier this month, he pointed out that the Health Authority has increased the number of beds by nearly 28%, and in the past year alone, the number of nurses has increased by 20%. In terms of the first hospital development plan, he continued that it is known that the number of beds will increase to 35,000. 

“As Hong Kong’s population ages, there is no doubt that our demand for nurses is on the rise. We also note that the number of nurse recruitments increased by 20% last year and the previous year, the number of nursing staff has never decreased, and the number of recruitments has increased,” he said. 

Earlier this month, as Healthcare Today reported, Hong Kong’s largest public hospital began some clinical services. When fully operational, the hospital will have 2,400 beds. 

The debate continues

“I think it is irresponsible to depict and enlarge these single or individual cases as if the entire nursing industry can not find a job, and it will indeed affect the development of the entire profession, and the ultimate victim is the overall medical industry and the public in Hong Kong,” Lo emphasised. 

The comments came as debates about nursing recruitment continue. The Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff has led warnings about problems for nurses in finding jobs. 

“The government should immediately suspend the importation of non-local nurses via “special” or “limited” registration pathways,” it demanded, saying that it does not agree that there is a surplus of nursing staff. Instead, the association suggested the authorities should seize this period of relatively sufficient staffing to increase the recruitment of local nurses. 

The government has continued to dismiss the issue. John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has even weighed in. 

“The social demand for nurses has always existed, especially because of the continuous development of medical treatment in Hong Kong and the ageing trend of the population, so the recruitment numbers will inevitably reflect the needs of these circumstances,” he said in answer to questions at a press conference earlier this month.