XN000022-1989-02-27 — Page 3

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989

GOVT DOCTORS' ASSOCIATION URGED TO RECONSIDER DECISION

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THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT DOCTORS' ASSOCIATION (GDA) ΤΟ RECONSIDER ITS DECISION TO START GRADED ACTION ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 1).

HE EXPRESSED 1115 CONCERN THAT THE GDA SHOULD RESOLVE ΤΟ UNDERTAKE GRADED ACTION AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHEN VARIOUS MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN DY THE ADMINISTRATION ΤΟ ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE ASCOʻLATION.

DR LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EQUALLY CONCERNED OVER THE PROBLEMS FACING ITS DOCTORS, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO OVERCROWDING IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, THE RETENTION ог EXPERIENCED DOCTORS. AND GENERALLY THE NEED FOR CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THERE WERE NO SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS то SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. BUT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING EVERYTHING IT COULD.

ON THE STAFFING SIDE, DR LEE ADDED, 74 SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER POSTS WOULD BE CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND AS ONE OF THE MEASURES ΤΟ ADDRESS THE RETENTION PROBLEM.

" "THESE WILL COME INTO BEING FROM MARCH 1 HE SAID.

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POSTS.

"IN ADDITION, ACTION IS IN HAND TO CREATE 32 CONSULTANT THE CREATION OF THESE POSTS WILL REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT THE POSTS BE AVAILABLE BEFORE DECEMBER THIS YEAR.

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TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT то THE DOCTORS TO ENABLE THEM TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES THE FIRST BATCH OF 22 CLERICAL AND SECRETARIAL POSTS WAS EXPECTED TO BE CREATED WITHIN NEXT MONTH, DR LEE SAID.

THESE WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHERE THE NEED WAS MOST PRESSING. ANOTHER 47 POSTS WOULD BE CREATED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

FURTHERMORE, DR LEE SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLE OF REWARDING, IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER, THOSE DOCTORS WHO, DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER, CONSISTENTLY HAD TO WORK UNUSUALLY LONG HOURS, IN ORDER THAT CERTAIN SERVICES WERE PROPERLY MANNED.

HE ADDED THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN HONORARIUM WERE BEING PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND HE WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO ADVISE THE ODA IN TWO WEEKS' TIME.

THESE ACTIONS, DR LEE STRESSED, DEMONSTRATED CLEARLY THE ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT AND SINCERITY

IMPROVING THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF GOVERNMENT DOCTORS.

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"THEY REPRESENT ....**