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46.
Following consideration of a consultants' report on the
Delivery of Medical Services in Hospitals, the Hong Kong Government
have decided in princple to establish a statutory Hospital
Authority, with regional committees, to manage all government and
government-subvented hospitals. This is expected to bring about a
more efficient and rational use of hospital facilities and of staff
resources. It is intended to form a provisional Hospital Authority
in April 1988 to oversee the legislative and administrative steps
necessary for the formal establishment of the full Authority. The
Authority will have a Hospital Services Department as its executive
arm and a Department of Health will be formed within the Government
to concentrate on the promotion of public health and preventive
medical care. They will replace the present Medical and Health
Department of the government. It will be necessary for all staff
working under the Hospital Authority to have common terms and
conditions of service. Ways to achieve this will be considered at
an early stage and consultations on the issues involved are being
held with hospital staff and with the subvented organisations
affected.
(a)
Social Welfare
47. Although Hong Kong does not have a fully fledged public
welfare system, the Hong Kong Government do have arrangements to
make social security payments to the needy, the elderly and the
disabled. They are non-contributory and are paid for out of general
revenue. The arrangements are designed to bring the incomes of
recipients up to a level where essential needs, such as food,
clothing and accommodation, can be met. The special needs of the
elderly and the disabled are covered by additional allowances.
basic rates of Public Assistance and Special Needs Allowance are
revised from time to time in the light of inflation and it is
expected that a further increase of about 10 per cent will be made
in April 1988. In addition, following an overall review of the
Public Assistance Scheme, certain improvements, designed
particularly to benefit large families, were introduced on 1 January
1988.
The
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