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About 1,200 nurses from 35 hospitals participated in the forum via video conferencing. More than 40 colleagues raised issues related to career prospects, manpower, training, salary and benefits, as well as night shift arrangements. Dr Leung expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication and efforts of frontline nurses, and encouraged colleagues to speak up and express opinions so as to improve public hospital services. "The aim of reopening nursing schools in 2008 was to ensure adequate manpower for growing services," he said. Mr Wu added that HA would reflect to the government on increasing the training capacities for nurses at universities and nursing schools in order to develop an adequate workforce.
Suggestions raised at the forum include reviewing salary system of newly employed contract-based nurses and sponsoring senior nurses for professional training. Some of the suggestions raised have already been reviewed and implemented by HA. "We'll look into a range of measures to address colleagues' concerns. These include promotion opportunities, local and overseas training sponsorship, and night-shift allowance," said Dr Leung.
Dr Leung promised to further explore enhancement measures with senior executives, including Ms Sylvia Fung, Chief Manager of Nursing and Dr Derrick Au Kit-sing, Head of Human Resources who also attended the forum.
While recruitment of new blood is important to create a competent nursing workforce, talent retention is crucial for the enhancement of overall quality of healthcare services. HA has refined the training sponsorship programme for enrolled nurses that enables them to progress to registered nurses. In addition, positions of nurse consultant and advanced practice nurse are added for better promotion prospects. Mr Wu reiterated the importance of mutual communication.
He said comprehensive plans were made to strengthen recruitment
and retention after a series of meetings and consultations. Other
than initiating continuous dialogue and soliciting opinions, he
encouraged participation of various nurse organisations to ensure
effective communication with all parties. Moreover, colleagues appreciated
the video conferencing arrangement as it offered an alternative
mode of communication. |
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Chairman Mr Anthony Wu and Chief Executive Dr Leung Pak-yin attended the nurse forum held on 25 July at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to better understand the concerns of frontline staff over their heavy workload.
