Monitoring of the Hospital Authority
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In response to the calls for greater transparency, Hon Members would have noticed that positive efforts have been made to expand the scope of information available in the Draft Estimates regarding the Hospital Authority's expenditure. The Authority was established to transform hospital management to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery, to improve the hospital environment and introduce a patient-centred culture to meet patients' needs, to encourage public participation and to ensure accountability in the public hospital system. Its efforts to strengthen its interface with the community are evident from the work of the Hospital Governing Committees and Regional Advisory Committees, and the many community relations activities organised by hospitals on an ongoing basis. Recent examples include the highly successful Open Day at Tuen Mun Hospital and the Nursing Promotion Campaign opened last week.
Much has been achieved by the Hospital Authority in the past few years to revitalise our public hospital system and to introduce a patient centred culture. Visible improvements can be seen in the facilities, standard of accommodation, staff attitude, quality of service and communication with the general public. However, it is now an appropriate time to review the progress so far and explore the way forward. I will bear in mind the views expressed by Honourable Members when doing this.
Government sees an important and continuing role for private hospitals and wishes to maintain a vigorous private sector providing greater choice in healthcare services. In keeping with Government's policy that no one should be denied adequate healthcare through lack of means, the Hospital Authority is there provides a safety net for those in need who require public hospital services. But it is not intended to be the sole provider of such services.
Remuneration Package of Hospital Authority Employees
There is a common perception that the remuneration package of Hospital Authority employees may be too generous. Let me take the opportunity to clarify some of the points raised by Members.
The terms and conditions offered to former civil servants joining the Hospital Authority were drawn up according to the broad principle that there will be no additional cost to the employer. The main difference with the salary package offered to civil servants is in the form of payment due to the encashment of fringe benefits. The encashment of benefits was necessary to recognise the independent statutory status of the Authority and to facilitate the integration of staff working in former subvented hospitals.