XN000022-1986-10-15 — Page 51

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1986

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COMMUNITY HEALTH HAS IMPORTANT ROLE

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ONE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS LIES IN THE WIDE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE MEDICAL SERVICES REPORT. MR HUI SAID THAT HOSPITAL CARE COULD NOT BE SEPARATED FROM COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE.

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HE URGED THAT PROVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AT THE HIGHEST POLICY-MAKING LEVEL AND MORE RESOURCES SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ITS PROMOTION.

ADEQUATE CHANNELS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR CO-OPERATION AMONG HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL NETWORK, SUCH AS COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, HOME HELP AND MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK.

HOWEVER, MR HUI CRITICISED THE REPORT FOR FAILING TO OUTLINE LONG-TERM PLANS FOR BUILDING NEW HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, AND, IN PARTICULAR, PLANS TO OPEN MORE INFIRMARIES. HE SAID THE ULTIMATE ANSWER TO A SHORTAGE OF BEDS LAY IN INCREASING THE SUPPLY.

ON THE QUESTION OF CHARGES FOR BEDS, HE SAID IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL CHARGES SHOULD BE SET AT A REASONABLE LEVEL AFFORDABLE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

HE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT ALL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE CASES SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM NEW CHARGES SHOULD THEY BE IMPOSED.

HE BELIEVED THE INTRODUCTION OF CLASS B BEDS WAS PREMATURE, PARTLY BECAUSE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR SERVING A NEW CATEGORY OF PATIENTS HAD YET TO BE MADE AVAILABLE AND PARTLY BECAUSE HE WAS NOT CONVINCED OF THE NEED FOR COST RECOVERY WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SHOULDERING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A MEDICAL SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE PRACTICABLE TO TRY OUT THE SCHEME IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS.

REFERRING TO THE PROPOSED INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, MR HUI SAID IT COULD BE GENERALLY SUPPORTED ON TWO CONSIDERATIONS.

FIRST, AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY WOULD RESULT IN BETTER ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND STAFF, CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS, AND WOULD IMPROVE THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY SITUATION WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTED THE WELL-BEING OF THE PUBLIC.

SECOND, THROUGH DECENTRALISATION, HOSPITAL BOARDS AT REGIONAL LEVEL COULD DEVELOP AND INTEGRATE DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES, COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE PROJECTS AND SPECIAL CLINICS.

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