XN000022-1986-10-15 — Page 42

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1986 ·

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HEALTH CARE MUST REMAIN GOVT RESPONSIBILITY

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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING HEALTH CARE FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR ENSURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOOD MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES.

THIS IS ONE OF 16 CONSENSUS VIEWS REACHED BY THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON HEALTH SERVICES FOLLOWING A SIX-MONTH STUDY ON THE CONSULTANCY REPORT THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS+.

THE PANEL'S CONSENSUS VIEWS WERE OUTLINED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY ITS CONVENER, DR THE HON CHIU HIN- KWONG, DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT.

THEY ARE:

* THE SPIRIT OF THE REPORT TO IMPROVE MEDICAL

SERVICES IN HONG KONG IS SUPPORTED.

* THE TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE TOO LIMITED IN THAT

THEY ONLY INCLUDE THE REVIEW ON THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS.

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GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING HEALTH CARE FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR ENSURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GOOD MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES,

GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FULLY SUBSIDISED MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY.

THERE ARE RESERVATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.

IN REGARD TO INTERNAL HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT, THE PROPOSALS THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE A DOCTOR THE WARD MANAGER THE SENIOR NURSING OFFICER AND THE FORMATION OF A TRIPARTITE MANAGEMENT TEAM COMPRISING THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, CHIEF NURSING OFFICER AND CHIEF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR ARE SUPPORTED.

THE STAFF RATIO OF A CONSULTANT UNIT SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

IF THE INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS TO BE SET UP OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE, THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE STAFF SHOULD NOT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED UPON TRANSFER.

A THE RECOMMENDATIONS