The Chief Medical Executive is accountable for the clinical management of a licensed clinic. A doctor, or a dentist for a dental clinic, registered in Hong Kong for at least 4 years, serving no more than 3 clinics, who checks every doctor's qualifications and practising certificate.
The role
ORPHF's guidance notes set the criteria. A doctor, or a dentist for dental-only clinics, registered in Hong Kong for at least 4 years. One CME may serve no more than 3 clinics, and cannot also be a hospital's CME. A change of CME is notified within 14 days. A licensee running 4 or more clinics may appoint a single CME if it sets up a Medical Advisory Committee, and that CME needs at least 8 years' registration.1 The Code makes the CME accountable for the clinical management of the facility.2
- Check every doctor. Qualifications and practising certificates, on file and current.
- Keep the registers. Staff and patient attendance.
- Review records. A sample each month, against the Code.
- Run complaints. The clinic's mechanism, with its time frame.
- Record it. So the oversight can be shown.
- Month ______ Clinics covered ______
- Practising certificates checked ______
- Records reviewed ______ Themes ______
- Complaints received and closed ______
- Actions, owner and date ______
Questions
Does a small practice clinic need a CME?
No, a small practice clinic with a letter of exemption does not.
How many clinics can one CME serve?
No more than 3, unless the licensee runs 4 or more and sets up a Medical Advisory Committee.
How fast must a change of CME be notified?
Within 14 days.
Sources
- 1Department of Health, 2026Guidance notes for application for clinic licence, PHF(E) 32ARead source
- 2Department of Health, 2026Code of Practice for Clinics, 2026 edition, PHF(E) 31ARead source
Written by the wai team from Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities, Department of Health, Hong Kong guidance, checked on 15 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. ORPHF does not endorse wai or any software.