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Dr the Hon Leong Che-hung suggested the development of a proper dental care policy. In oral health care, our emphasis is on prevention. Our policy on dental care therefore aims to improve the oral health of the population by promoting oral hygiene and oral health awareness in the community, targeting in particular our young people. Basic dental care is provided to some 380,000 primary school children through the School Dental Care Service.
Curative service is provided to specific groups on a need basis. We provide emergency dental service to the community at eleven dental clinics throughout the territory. Curative service is also provided to hospital patients as well as mentally and physically handicapped persons. CSSA recipients can obtain an allowance under the CSSA for private dental services.
Some Members spoke about the Government's monitoring mechanism of the Hospital Authority. The Government monitors the Hospital Authority's operation through a combination of statutory provisions and administrative arrangements. The Hospital Authority is required by law to furnish me with all relevant information relating to its operation and the facilities for verification of such information. The law further provides for a copy of its accounting statement and annual report to be tabled in this Council. Quarterly meetings are also held between Government and the Authority to review its performance against agreed targets. The Hospital Authority Board, comprising mainly unofficials including two Members of this Council, on which I am also represented, plays a very important role in the planning and management of hospital services. I shall of course continue to keep in view the effectiveness of the monitoring mechanism which is currently in place.
With regard to the roles of the public and private healthcare sectors, we see a clear need for both. Our policy is to encourage collaboration to ensure quality and continuity of patient care. In this respect, the Hospital Authority is in dialogue with private doctors and hospitals on how closer collaboration can be effected through a better referral system. The aim should be to make the best use of both public and private sector resources to meet community needs.
The Hon Michael Ho has asked for an assurance that adequate staff will be recruited to avoid possible delays in the commissioning of new hospitals. Adequate manpower is fundamental to the provision of healthcare services. We are mindful of the need to recruit adequate healthcare staff, particularly nurses, to ensure the timely commissioning of our new health care facilities. A planning process is in place to work out in advance with the Hospital Authority the projected manpower requirements and to draw up corresponding training and recruitment plans.