Hong Kong health authorities have ordered a review of the city’s Medical Council after it terminated an inquiry into a paediatrician due to a prolonged procedural delay of 8½ years, as the regulatory body promised to respond within eight weeks.

The move by the government came on Thursday, a day after the Patients’ Rights Association argued that the Medical Council’s ruling – the first involving a suspected medical blunder – could allow doctors to evade responsibility in future cases.

The government said it was highly concerned about the handling of the case, as Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau wrote to council chairwoman Grace Tang Wai-king and required an account of the mechanism in handling complaint investigations and disciplinary inquiries.

“[He requested the council] to carry out a holistic review and introduce improvement recommendations in the light of the complaint case,” the statement read.

It added that the council should respond to the expectations of the public and society concerning the standards and ethical conduct of healthcare professionals.

“The council must uphold its mission of ensuring justice, maintaining professionalism and protecting the public,” it said.