11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1993
THERE ARE NO FIXED
CHARGING CRITERIA AND THE FEES ARE REFLECTION OF WHAT PATIENTS ARE WILLING TO PAY.
A
IT WOULD ALSO NOT BE MEANINGFUL TO COMPARE THESE WITH DOCTORS CHARGES IN OTHER COUNTRIES DUE TO DIFFERENCES IN GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT, STANDARD OF LIVING, INCOME, HEALTH SYSTEM AND OTHER SOCIAL FACTORS.
AS REGARDS THE 10 COMPLAINTS OF DISSATISFACTION RECORDED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL OVER MEDICAL CHARGES QUOTED BY MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, THE SECRETARY SAID HIGH CHARGES IN THEMSELVES DID NOT CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT.
"IF A PATIENT IS QUOTED A FEE FOR A SURGICAL PROCEDURE IN ADVANCE, IT IS UP TO THE PATIENT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE FEES, SHE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF THE DOCTOR DOES NOT DISCLOSE A FEE TO HIS PATIENT ON REQUEST, THE MATTER SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OR TO THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG FOR ARBITRATION INVESTIGATION, RESPECTIVELY.
OR
"IF THE DOCTOR CHARGES A FEE OTHER THAN THE ONE QUOTED AND AGREED ON WITHOUT GOOD REASON, SUCH AS A CHANGE IN THE PATIENT'S MEDICAL CONDITION, THERE MAY BE GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT OR LEGAL ACTION."
MRS WONG SAID THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HAD PRODUCED A POSTER FOR PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO PUT UP IN THEIR CLINICS TO REMIND PATIENTS OF THEIR RIGHT TO KNOW THE FEES.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PUBLISHES A SCHEDULE OF FERS FOR PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS INFORMATION AND FOR REFERENCE.
IN ADDITION, THE MEDICAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HAVE PUBLISHED THE RESULTS OF THEIR SURVEYS ON DOCTORS' FEES AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND PRIVATE DOCTORS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO DO LIKEWISE.
SHA EXPLAINS POLICY ON KARAOKES
AS MOST KARAOKE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RUN EITHER AS PART OF A RESTAURANT OR AS A CLUB, THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IS TO CONTROL THEM THROUGH EXISTING LICENSING REGIMES.
IN
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/RESTAURANTS ARE