XN000022-1986-07-10 — Page 4

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1986

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HOSPITAL, CLINIC FEES TO BE REVISED

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THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT CHARGES AT ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WILL BE INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT FROM AUGUST 1.

THE FEE REVISION IS AN ANNUAL ROUTINE EXERCISE AND FOR THIS YEAR IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO APPLY A CALCULATED AVERAGE PERCENTAGE

INCREASE IN COSTS ACROSS THE BOARD SINCE THE LAST REVIEW.

FOR HOSPITALS, THE DAILY RATE IN GENERAL WARDS WILL BE $20, AN INCREASE OF $2.

FOR SPECIAL ASIAN DIET THE NEW RATE WILL BE $40 AND FOR EUROPEAN DIET $60. THE EXISTING RATES ARE $36 AND $54.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GENERAL WARD WAS HEAVILY SUBS ID ISED BY GOVERNMENT AS THE DAILY CHARGE PER BED COVERED THE COST OF FOOD, DRUGS, LABORATORY TESTS, SURGERY AND OTHER TREATMENTS.

AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SPENDING ABOUT $800 TO MAINTAIN ONE HOSPITAL BED EACH DAY.

IN CASES OF GENUINE HARDSHIP, CHARGES COULD BE WAIVED PARTIALLY OR IN FULL.

FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS PATIENTS, DAILY CHARGES WOULD GO UP FROM $750 TO $820 AND FROM $500 TO $545.

CHARGES FOR SPECIAL CLASS BEDS AT TSAN YUK HOSPITAL WOULD BE REVISED FROM $335 TO $365 DAILY.

PATIENTS IN FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARDS OF THE TWO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS - CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL - WOULD HAVE TO PAY NEW FEES OF $260 AND $175.

IN ADDITION, PATIENTS IN SPECIAL WARDS AND PRIVATE WARDS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY EXTRA FOR MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS, SURGERY AND SPECIAL LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS.

FOR OUTPATIENTS, CONSULTATION FEES PER VISIT WOULD GO UP FROM $9 TO $10 FOR GENERAL CLINICS AND $12 TO $13 FOR SPECIALIST CLINICS.

FEES FOR INJECTIONS AND DRESSINGS WOULD REMAIN AT $3.

FOR METHADONE CLINICS AND FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS, FEES REMAIN AT $1.

/THE CHARGE