My first task in the third term is to list the tasks that some committees would tackle.

1. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

We have to look at the declining percentages of SMA membership in private practice over the past few years. Though we have not done detailed analyses, we suspect that the sectors least represented are either general practitioners practising alone or assistants working in group practice.

We also need to look at the question of spouse membership again. The constitutional amendment made last year to reduce the subscription for this group have not achieve any result. Also, lady doctors are under-represented at all levels. We are quite fortunate to have a lady council member this year after a hiatus of at least 5 years. Maybe this council would be able to increase participation by lady doctors.

2. ETHICS COMMITTEE

The Ethics Committee has steadily made progress. This year, the committee ambit would be further enlarged and this would be reflected in the appointment of 3 vice-chairmen, one for each of the areas in ethical policy, special case management and publications.

The committee would look into pro-active case management and mediation in certain cases. The ethical policy group would be looking into the issue of media interviews and publications by doctors. More important, the Ethics and Practice Manual would be published before the end of this council’s term.

3. PRIVATE PRACTICE COMMITTEE

The subject of the clinic dispensary was discusssed at the AGM. A task force within an enlarged private practice committee would study the subject in depth and initiate necessary actions. The guideline for charges for medicine would also be published by the end of this council’s term.

4. INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

We are enclosing the names and contacts numbers of the chairmen/vice-chairmen appointed to the various committees in an enclosure. Please response to indicate the area you are interested in.