The Provisional Hong Kong Academy of Nursing has admitted Dr Frances Hughes as an Honorary Fellow. Dr Hughes is currently the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Queensland Health. She is highly experienced in the development of health policy particularly in the field of nursing and mental health, research, and global health. During her tenure as a major nursing leader in New Zealand, numerous initiatives have been instituted and enhanced around nurse prescribing, primary health care and rural scholarship schemes, nursing workforce, nurse practitioners and telenursing. Many of these initiatives became illustrative models for Hong Kong nurses to enhance care quality and outcomes.

Apart from paying significant contributions to the nursing profession in New Zealand, internationally Dr Hughes also provided advice to the World Health Organization and a range of global organizations. The PHKAN also benefits from the rich global experience and expertise of Dr Hughes. Dr Hughes has been an advisor to the PHKAN since the early stage of development when it was still a preparatory committee. She has provided invaluable advise and insightful comments that contribute a great deal to the work of the PHKAN.