XN000022-1989-03-14 — Page 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1989

GOVT COMMITTED TO UPGRADING MEDICAL SERVICES: SIR DAVID

TO THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED

EXPANDING AND UPGRADING QUALITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN PUBLIC AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TO PACE WITH THE RISING EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE

KEEP

SIR

SIR DAVID SAID HE WISHED TO MAKE THIS OBJECTIVE CLEAR, SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL.

AN

WHEN EXTENSION AT

THAT I HAVE IN FACT

"THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN JUST OVER TWO WEEKS LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR A MAJOR NEW HOSPITAL PROJECT THE THIRD TIME OVER THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.

GOVERNMENT

IS

7

DETERMINED

TO PUT

SERVICES FOR

"THIS SHOWS THE EFFORT THE INTO UPGRADING BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF MEDICAL THE WHOLE COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID SAID.

THE YEARS SUBSIDISED TURNED

HONG KONG HAD BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE DEVELOPED OVER ASSURED OF A SYSTEM OF HEALTH CARE IN WHICH EVERYONE WAS

AND NO-ONE WAS MEDICAL TREATMENT AT A NOMINAL FEE, HE SAID, AWAY.

STRESS AND PRESSURE HOWEVER, THIS OBJECTIVE HAD ADDED TO THE

WITH ON HOSPITALS, AS WELL AS ON THE MEDICAL STAFF, WHO HAD RESPONDED DILIGENCE AND DEDICATION EVEN THOUGH THEIR TASK HAD NOT BEEN EASY.

FEW "THE CONCERNS THEY HAVE EXPRESSED IN THE PAST ALSO THE GOVERNMENT'S CONCERNS, HE STRESSED.

THAT

77

MONTHS ARE

THE GOVERNOR SAID

URGENT ACTION WAS BEING

IN TAKEN, IMPROVEMENTS IN WORKING CONSULTATION WITH THE STAFF, TO BRING ABOUT CONDITIONS AND THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE.

"WHILE THESE CONSULTATIONS PROCEED, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT PATIENTS

RECEIVE PROPER ATTENTION INCONVENIENCED OR PUT AT RISK IN ANY WAY, HE SAID.

CONTINUE TO

AND ARE NOT

THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT THAT TERM A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION WAS NEEDED.

IN THE LONGER

A

"WHAT IS BEING DONE IS TO STREAMLINE THE STRUCTURE AND

SERVICES, AND ESTABLISH OVERSEE THE

OF DELIVERY

ADMINISTRATION OF OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH STATUTORY HOSPITAL

SERVICES IN ALL GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.

MEDICAL

AUTHORITY TO

++

JUST "THIS WILL INEVITABLY TAKE TIME,

AS IT TAKES TIME TO OPERATE BUILD AND EQUIP HOSPITALS AND TO PROVIDE THE TRAINED STAFF TO THEM, HE SAID.

/IN LAYING