Q.7
2 -
are less effectively subvented than the government hospitals.
There is, of course, one respect in which subvented hospitals
do receive less financial assistance, and that is because of
the difference in fringe benefits between staff working in
government hospitals and staff working in the subvented
hospitals.
Dr. CHIU : Sir, I am not trying to compare like with like.
I just ask whether, as a matter of principle, similar resources
should be allocated for identical services.
Secretary for Health and Welfare : Yes, Sir, I'm sure that
should be our aim, to ensure that similar resources are provided
for identical services.
Dr. LAM (in Cantonese) : Sir, in the second paragraph of the
answer the Secretary told us that all along members of the
public who had a choice usually opted for government hospitals.
Has the Government seriously considered why the public
prefer to go to government hospitals instead of subvented
hospitals?
Secretary for Health and Welfare : Sir, this seems to be
a
quite widespread belief. I don't think that it's
something which is susceptible of absolute proof.