WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983
3
+FOR THIS REASON, CHARGES FOR THESE ITEMS WERE NOT UPDATED BECAUSE IT IS THE INTENTION TO COST AND UPDATE THE CHARGES FOR BETTER AND MORE ADVANCED TECHNIQUES, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT NEW CHARGES FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM INTRODUCED SHOULD MAKE THE WORK ON FEES AND CHARGES EASIER, HE SAID.
BUT DUE TO THE POLICY OF ACCORDING PRIORITY TO THE UNDER- PRIVILEGED, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BECOME SELF-FUNDING, HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE FALLING PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE AS COMPARED TO EXPENDITURE IN THE DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 1979 AND 1983, DR THONG EXPLAINED THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS A SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDING A NON-PROFIT MAKING SERVICE.
HE SAID THAT THE REVENUE RAISED FROM THE BULK OF THE PATIENTS IN THE GENERAL WARD WAS NOMINAL, WHILE FULL OR PARTIAL COST WAS RECOVERED FROM A COMPARATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PRIVATE EEDS.
IT WAS QUITE INAPPROPRIATE TO COMPARE THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS NOT A BUSINESS CONCERN, HE SAID.
ADDITIONAL HELP FOR NEEDY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CONSIDERED ******
REQUESTS BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WOULD BE GIVEN +SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REFERRING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED EARLIER IN THE BUDGET DEBATE BY THE HON F.K. HU ON THIS POINT, MR CHAMBERS EXPRESSED FULL AGREEMENT THAT AGENCIES SHOULD BE GIVEN ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO DISCHARGE THEIR CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT IN FACT, ALL AGENCIES RECEIVED INCREASED LEVELS OF SUPPORT LAST YEAR+.
SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO ANY AGENCY EXPERIENCING GENUINE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, HE SAID.
/COMMENTING ON