XN000022-1993-07-16 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1993

"OBVIOUSLY OVER THE NEXT YEARS THE OVERALL COSTS OF HEALTH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE GOING TO INCREASE. THAT'S SOMETHING EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS. WHAT WE'VE GOT TO FIND ARE FAIR WAYS OF MEETING THOSE

COSTS.

"BUT IN DOING THAT WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED, THAT THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY MORE FOR SERVICES CAN GET THE BEST POSSIBLE TREATMENT WITHOUT BEING INHIBITED BY QUESTIONS OF COSTS.

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GOVERNOR SEES IMPROVEMENTS IN CLINICS

* * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED TWO GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS IN YUEN LONG TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE IMPROVEMENTS AND PROGRESS ACHIEVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME.

CLUB HEALTH

OF HEALTH,

SAW, AND

MR PATTEN FIRST VISITED THE YUEN LONG JOCKEY CENTRE WHERE HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR DR MARGARET CHAN, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR PAUL OTHER CLINIC STAFF.

HE WAS TOLD THAT THE 27-YEAR-OLD CLINIC WAS SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO IMPROVEMENTS UNDER PHASE III OF THE DEPARTMENT'S PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME IN LINE

OTHER CLINICS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

WITH

THE GOVERNOR TOURED THE VARIOUS UNITS OF THE CLINIC WHERE PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE SERVICES ARE DELIVERED TO THE PUBLIC.

HE LEARNT THAT THE CLINIC HAD ALREADY UPGRADED ITS SERVICE BY INTRODUCING AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR CHRONIC PATIENTS SEEKING FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT, AND LABELLING OF DISPENSED MEDICINE MANUALLY.

THE GOVERNOR THEN WENT TO THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC LOCATED AT MADAM YUNG FUNG SHEE HEALTH CENTRE WHERE НЕ SAW VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT FACILITIES AND MEASURES INTRODUCED UNDER PHASE I OF THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE EXERCISE.

IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE: AIR-CONDITIONED WAITING AREA WITH PIPED MUSIC AND MORE COMFORTABLE SEATS; PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN; DIGITAL DISPLAY SYSTEM AT CONSULTATION ROOMS; PROVISION OF DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND WEIGHING SCALE; ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY OF HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIALS AND A PATIENT ASSISTANCE COUNTER OFFERING PROMPT INFORMATION AND HELP TO PATIENTS.

CLINIC PROCEDURES HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPROVED TO PLACE A GREATER EMPHASIS ON CONVENIENCE, COMFORT AND CONTINUITY OF CARE.

THESE EMBRACE AN ADVANCE APPOINTMENT FOR ELDERLY, AN

PATIENTS, A PRIORITY SYSTEM

SYSTEM FOR OTHER PATIENTS WHICH GUARANTEES CONSULTATION OF NO MORE THAN 60 MINUTES.

SYSTEM FOR CHRONIC IMPROVED APPOINTMENT

WAITING TIME

FOR

/PATIENTS MAY