The Health Bureau said it will seek to introduce an amendment bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of 2026 as part of efforts to improve the Medical Council's complaint-handling mechanism.

The mechanism came under scrutiny following a years-long delay in the Medical Council's inquiry into a case in 2009, which involved a mainland couple complaining that negligence by a Baptist Hospital paediatrician had led to their newborn's cerebral palsy.

The Health Bureau said it received a report from the Medical Council on Wednesday on improving its complaint-handling mechanism.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the bureau is examining the report and will begin consultation work next month with the sector and stakeholders, such as professional organisations and patients' groups, on amending the Medical Registration Ordinance.

The Medical Council is empowered under the ordinance to handle registration and disciplinary matters of medical practitioners.