The Medical Council has been given eight weeks to submit a report on ways to improve its complaint-handling mechanism after years of delays to an inquiry into an alleged hospital incident in 2009 led to disciplinary proceedings being dropped.

A mainland couple filed a complaint to the council in 2010, alleging that their newborn son developed cerebral palsy because a Baptist Hospital paediatrician was too slow to act on warnings from nurses about the baby's condition.

The inquiry dragged on for more than eight years due to scheduling delays and last month, the council's inquiry panel ruled that too much time had passed for the paediatrician to be given a fair hearing.

Following criticism from the couple surnamed Lai, as well as patient rights groups, the council announced on Monday that it will review the panel's decision on November 22.

Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau told reporters on Tuesday that he has demanded a report from the council.

“The Lai couple placed significant trust in Hong Kong’s healthcare system, which is why they chose to give birth here. Over the past decade, they have patiently waited a result, an answer. I believe our system will provide them with an answer, regardless of the outcome,” he said.

Lo said that after reviewing the council's report, there will be discussions on whether changes need to be made to regulations governing the licensing of doctors.

He noted that the council has a heavy workload, handling more than than 8,700 complaints in the past five years, but said a review will also look into improving efficiency.