XN000022-1992-03-27 — Page 8

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992

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HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES TO BE ADJUSTED FROM APRIL

THE FEES AND CHARGES AT FORMER GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS NOW UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) AND GOVERNMENT CLINICS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE ADJUSTED WITH EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT POLICY.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FEES AND CHARGES FOR SERVICES AT SOME PUBLIC HOSPITALS, NAMELY FORMER GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS NOW UNDER HA, AND GOVERNMENT CLINICS ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY TO REFLECT INCREASED COST FOR PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES.

THE CURRENT LEVELS OF FEES AND CHARGES WERE INTRODUCED IN 1990, SOME TWO YEARS AGO.

THERE HAS BEEN NO REVISION SINCE THEN DUE TO THE MORATORIUM GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES WHICH EXPIRED ON FEBRUARY 29 THIS YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW RATES WERE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

ON

CALCULATED BY THE

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE CALCULATION WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE ESTABLISHED METHODOLOGY.

"AT THE NEW RATES, THE SERVICES CONTINUE TO BE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY PUBLIC FUNDS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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**THE NEW CHARGE FOR ATTENDANCE AT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS IS $21 COMPARED WITH THE ACTUAL COST OF $111, AND THAT FOR A BED IN A PUBLIC WARD IS $43 COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE BED COST OF $1,312 PER DAY."

++

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING POLICY, FULL OR PARTIAL REMISSION OF CHARGES WAS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS WHO ARE IN GENUINE HARDSHIP AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY.

THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO THE POLICY THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM GETTING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT.

DETAILS OF THE NEW FEES AND CHARGES ARE PUBLISHED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION IN TODAY'S GAZETTE. THE MAIN FEATURES ARE DESCRIBED BELOW:

IN-PATIENT (PER BED DAY)

J

—

PUBLIC WARD

PRIVATE WARD

1ST CLASS

2ND CLASS

PRESENT FEE

NEW FEE

(6)

($)

34

43

1,570 1,045

2,055 1,370

/- PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC