XN000022-1990-01-17 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990

HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT CHANGE LATER IN YEAR

WILL

THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, EVEN WHEN SET UP UNDER THE LAW. NOT TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNTIL TOWARDS THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS WOULD ALLOW THE TIME NEEDED FOR COMPLETION OF ALL ESSENTIAL PREPARATORY WORK AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY CONSULTATIONS WITH THE STAFF CONCERNED, MRS WONG SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW.

THE SECRETARY SAID SHE HOPED TO INTRODUCE INTO THE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE A BILL ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.

"THIS WILL BE DEBATED IN COUNCIL, AND, SUBJECT TO ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, IT IS MY AIM TO SET UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY LATER THIS YEAR," SHE SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS ON VARIOUS MATTERS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS THEY WERE READY.

"THERE WILL BE FULI, CONSULTATIONS WITH THE WHICH AFFECT THEM DIRECTLY, SUCH AS THE TERMS EMPLOYMENT, SHE SAID.

MRS WONG SAID THE MAIN REPORT OF THE AUTHORITY HAD BEEN RECEIVED ON DECEMBER 30.

THE

STAFF OVER ISSUES AND CONDITIONS OF

PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL

"IT CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUTURE AUTHORITY STRUCTURE, INTEGRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS, AND MANY OTHER POINTS.

OF EMPLOYMENT,

"THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ARE BEING CAREFULLY STUDIED WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION. SHE SAID.

CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

THE

CAPABILITY

GOVERNMENT

COMPRISING

ALREADY HAS AN ORGANISATION AND METHODS SOME 150 MANAGEMENT STAFF, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP AN INTERNAL ORGANISATION AND METHODS CAPABILITY TO ACHIEVE A SIMPLIFICATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND A REDUCTION IN UNNECESSARY PAPERWORK.

/SIR PIERS