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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990
"HOWEVER, THE TRANSFER OF EVERY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE REGARD TO THE NEEDS OF THE HEALTH SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.
"IN THE MEANTIME, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH IS EXAMINING WAYS AND OF ATTRACTING, RETAINING AND MOTIVATING STAFF IN HIS DEPARTMENT," SHE SAID.
MBANS
REGARDING STAFF WORKING IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, MRS WONG SAID THEY COULD ALSO CHOOSE EITHER TO TRANSFER TO THE AUTHORITY'S REMUNERATION PACKAGE OR TO REMAIN AS EMPLOYEES OF THE SUBVENTED HOSPITAL BOARD.
"A CONSULTANT WILL BE ENGAGED BY THE PHA SHORTLY TO ADVISE ON THE CONVERSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME OF THE SUBVENTED HOSPITAL STAFF WHO OPT FOR THE AUTHORITY TERMS EMPLOYMENT," SHE SAID,
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SHE THEN TURNED TO THE PHA'S RECOMMENDATION THAT FEES AND CHARGES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS SHOULD BE INCREASED BY PHASES, AIMING AT THE EVENTUAL RECOVERY OF BETWEEN 15 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT OF THE COST OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS IN CONJUNCTION WITH IMPROVEMENT MADE TO SERVICES.
MRS WONG SAID WHILE THE PRINCIPLE WAS ENDORSED AS THE ULTIMATE AIM, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RETAIN THE POWER TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE AUTHORITY ON THE LEVEL OF FEES TO BE CHARGED. SHE GAVE AN UNEQUIVOCAL ASSURANCE THAT NOBODY IN HONG KONG WOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT.
"THUS, ANY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE FEE LEVEL WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL THE EXISTING WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS ARE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED, SHE STRESSED.
T
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THE GOVERNMENT'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROPOSAL CONCERNING ENHANCEMENT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM THROUGH A BOARD CONSISTING PRINCIPALLY OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
AS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION THAT SENIOR DOCTORS IN HOSPITALS BE ALLOWED TO DO LIMITED PRIVATE PRACTICE AND VICE VERSA, SHE SAID THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHEN FORMED WOULD BE INVITED ΤΟ ADDRESS THESE ISSUES WITH DUE CARE, HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF PATIENTS.
ON THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, SHE SAID ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ESTIMATED AT $1,000 MILLION PER ANNUM WOULD BE REQUIRED.
THIS INCLUDES SOME
150 MILLION FOR ESTABLISHING HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS, SOME $250 MILLION FOR IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT REFORMS AND $600 MILLION FOR BRINGING STAFF IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS ONTO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY'S REMUNERATION PACKAGE.
/"FURTHERMORE, THE