24
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1993
IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXPLORE THE NEED FOR OTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SHORT TERM SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF SPECIALIST CLINICS.
"FURTHERMORE, THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND TAI PO NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL WILL TOGETHER PROVIDE OVER 1,200 ADDITIONAL BEDS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN NEW TERRITORIES EAST MRS WONG SAID.
+
11
SHE ALSO OUTLINED THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW INITIATIVES ΤΟ REDUCE THE NEED FOR IN-PATIENT ADMISSION AND TO ENHANCE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
THESE INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COHERENT INTERFACE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, THE INTRODUCTION OF PILOT SCREENING FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND WOMEN, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DAY HOSPITALS AND SERVICE CENTRES.
TO IMPROVE SERVICE TO PATIENTS, A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IS BEING INTRODUCED FOR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, PATIENTS' RECORDS AND INVENTORY-KEEPING.
"ONCE ALL PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ARE NETWORKED, A PATIENT'S COMPLETE MEDICAL HISTORY WILL BE ACCESSIBLE WHEREVER THAT PATIENT GOES FOR TREATMENT, SHE SAID.
H
TURNING TO MANPOWER PLANNING POR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, MRS WONG SAID THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE CONDUCTING SEPARATE REVIEWS то ASSESS COMMUNITY NEEDS AS A WHOLE.
**WE INTEND то SET UP AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL STUDY GROUP TO EXAMINE THE REPORTS WHEN TO HAND, AND SPECIFICALLY TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF PERCEIVED NURSING SHORTAGE," SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE, THE SECRETARY SAID THE RATES OF PAYMENT UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WOULD BE INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT FOR INFLATION FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WHILE THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
MRS WONG DISMISSED THE QUESTION OF BACKDATING THE NEW SCHEME, ADDING THAT IT COULD NOT BE ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE.
WHETHER RECURRENT AFTER THE $2.3
REFERRING TO SOME MEMBERS' CONCERN OVER FUNDING FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES WOULD CONTINUE BILLION INJECTED INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND WAS USED UP AFTER 1996/97, MRS WONG ASSURED MEMBERS THAT RECURRENT FUNDING FOR THESE NEW SERVICES WOULD CONTINUE.
SHE UNDERTOOK TO UPDATE THE TARGETS OF SERVICES REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY MET THE CHANGING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
ACCORDING
WIFE ABUSE WAS ANOTHER SUBJECT MRS WONG TOUCHED ON. TO STATISTICS, SHE SAID, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT GETTING OUT OF HAND.
UNDER-REPORTED
BUT SHE AGREED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MIGHT BE MUCH AND STRESSED THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY SERVICES COUNSELLING SHOULD NOT BE LIGHTLY DISMISSED OR FORGOTTEN.
/MRS WONG
Page 40Page 41