XN000022-1986-10-15 — Page 53

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1986

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ESTABLISHMENT OF THA RECEIVES SUPPORT *****

THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM THE HON LIU LIT-FOR TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LIU SAID ONE OF THE AREAS THE IHA SHOULD MOVE INTO QUICKLY WAS TO IMPROVE THE IMBALANCE RATE OF OCCUPANCY OF HOSPITAL BEDS IN SUBVENTED AND GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.

HE SAID THE CURRENT OCCUPANCY OF SUBVENTED HOSPITAL BEDS 1S MUCH LOWER THAN THAT IN GOVERNMENT, AND WELCOMED THE CONCEPT OF THE IHA TO COORDINATE AND INTERGRATE THE EXISTING MEDICAL RESOURCES WITH A GREATER DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY,

HE SAID HE ALSO WELCOMED THE FACT THAT UNDER THE IHA, LOCAL HOSPITALS WOULD BE MANAGED BY REGIONAL BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT COMPOSED OF BALANCED REPRESENTATIONS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES WHICH WOULD PLAY AN EFFECTIVE CO-ORDINATING, MANAGING AND MONITORING ROLE.

HOWEVER, MR LIU POINTED OUT THERE WAS A NEED TO PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF SUCH DISTINGUISHED TRADITIONS LIKE THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKING BETTER AND FULLER USE OF THEIR UNDER-UTILISED RESOURCES.

+ DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE WORKED OUT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BODIES CONCERNED WITH THE OBJECT OF ACHIEVING COOPERATION, HE SUGGESTED.

ON PROPOSALS TO CHARGE PATIENTS ABUSING THE SERVICES OF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN HOSPITALS, MR LIU SAID HE HAD NO OBJECTION PROVIDED IMPROVEMENTS WERE CARRIED OUT AS RECOMMENDED IN THE CONSULTANCY REPORT.

HE ALSO ASKED GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER WAIVING OR REDUCING CHARGES FOR PATIENTS WITH LOW INCOME AND SUPPORTED THE INTRODUCTION OF CLASS 'B' BEDS ON CONDITION THAT THE PRESENT NUMBER OF THIRD CLASS BEDS WOULD NOT BE REDUCED.

IN CONCLUDING, MR LIU REMINDED THE GOVERNMENT OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL SERVICES AND MAINTAINING THE STANDARD OF HEALTH IN HONG KONG.

+ THE GOVERNMENT MUST CLEARLY SHOW THAT IT WILL NOT SHIRK OFF OR REDUCE ITS OBLIGATIONS IN THIS RESPECT BUT, ON THE CONTRARY, WILL ALLOCATE ADEQUATE RESOURCES SO THAT THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT MEASURES CAN BE MADE,+ HE SAID.

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