WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1994
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'PATIENTS FIRST' IS CARDINAL PRINCIPLE
"PUTTING THE PATIENTS FIRST" HAS BEEN THE CARDINAL PRINCIPLE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY'S (HA) MANAGEMENT REFORM IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DURING THE YEAR, 21 HOSPITAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES WERE APPOINTED TO SPEARHEAD THESE REFORMS WITH EMPHASIS ON PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH AND, MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL,
PATIENT-CENTRED CULTURE.
A
TABLING THE HA'S ANNUAL REPORT COVERING THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1992 TO MARCH 31, 1993, MRS LAU SAID HOSPITAL STAFF'S RESPONSE ΤΟ THESE REFORMS HAD BEEN POSITIVE.
"THIS OWES MUCH то THE EFFORTS OF THE HA TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF, ΤΟ HELP THEM REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CORPORATE MISSION, AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPORTING SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISION- MAKING," SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF STAFF, THE NEW APPROACH IN REACHING OUT TO WOULD HELP ENCOURAGE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION CURATIVE PROCESS.
DEDICATED AND MOTIVATED SPECIFIC TARGET GROUPS BY PATIENTS IN THEIR
THE COMMUNITY, THREE
то DEVELOP A CLOSER PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED TO PROVIDE PUBLIC FORUMS FOR DISCUSSION ON HOSPITAL SERVICES.
A
"AT DISTRICT LEVEL, 28 HOSPITAL GOVERNING COMMITTEES PROVIDE DIRECT VENUE FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO TAKE PART IN SERVICE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT," MRS LAU SAID.
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE HA, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS ΤΟ COVER ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION, ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND MANPOWER PROVISION IN NEXT YEAR'S DRAFT ESTIMATES.
THIS WILL PROVIDE A BETTER BASIS FOR PUBLIC MONITORING ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE HA.
OF
"FURTHERMORE, CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS ARE BEING PUT INTO DEVELOPING A SET OF MANPOWER INDICATORS FOR ALL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ΤΟ ASSIST HOSPITAL MANAGERS IN THE PLANNING AND DEPLOYMENT OF FRONTLINE STAFF, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE A DIRECT LINKAGE BETWEEN RESOURCE INPUT AND CLINICAL OUTPUT, MRS LAU SAID.
HA
IN OTHER AREAS, THE ACTING SECRETARY SAID EFFORTS MADE BY THE TO RATIONALISE SERVICES HAD ALREADY RESULTED IN LESS OVERCROWDING IN WARDS, IMPROVED HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT AND SHORTENED WAITING TIME FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.
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