Radiographers, med techs to accept referrals from Chinese medicine practitioners

The Health Bureau aims to amend the current ordinance

The Health Bureau (HHB) intends to submit a legislative proposal to amend the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance to allow radiographers and medical laboratory technologists to accept referrals from Chinese medicine practitioners in the first half of 2025 (H1 2025), according to Professor Lo Chung-mau, secretary for health.

Once the relevant amendment ordinance takes effect, the specific referral arrangements can be implemented upon completion of necessary discussions and preparatory work, such as revising the relevant codes of practice by the statutory councils/boards of the CM profession and the associated healthcare professions.

Moreover, in December 2023, the HHB took the initiative to invite the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong and its Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (CMPB) to set up a working group to initiate professional discussions on the referral of patients by CMPs for diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests.

“The HHB will continue to facilitate communication between stakeholders from various professions under the principle of professional autonomy and closely monitor the progress of relevant discussions,” Chung-mau said.