XN000022-1993-10-06 — Page 27

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993

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CUTTING THE QUEUES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT

* * * * *

AND

THE GOVERNMENT MUST MAKE A FURTHER ASSAULT ON ALL DELAYS QUEUING TIMES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

DELIVERING HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS ΤΟ THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID AMONG OTHER IMPROVEMENTS, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WOULD NEXT YEAR REDUCE AVERAGE WAITING TIMES FOR NON-URGENT EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SURGERY FROM FOUR MONTHS TO BELOW THREE MONTHS.

IT WILL REDUCE AVERAGE WAITING TIMES FOR A FIRST APPOINTMENT IN 80 PER CENT OF SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT CLINICS FROM FOUR MONTHS TO LESS THAN THREE MONTHS; AND REDUCE AVERAGE QUEUING TIMES FOR A CONSULTATION AT TEN SPECIALIST CLINICS FROM 120 MINUTES TO UNDER 90 MINUTES, HE SAID.

THE GOVERNOR SAID FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, THE IMMEDIATE MEASURE OF THE QUALITY OF HOSPITAL SERVICE WAS WAITING TIMES, PARTICULARLY FOR SURGERY.

HE SAID PATIENTS WHO REQUIRED URGENT SURGERY OF COURSE GOT THE TREATMENT THEY NEEDED RIGHT AWAY.

"THEY ARE NOT PUT ON A WAITING LIST. WAITING LISTS APPLY SOLELY TO ELECTIVE SURGERY."

MR PATTEN SAID ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS WOULD BE ASKING PATIENTS WHAT THEY THINK OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED.

SOME ARE ALREADY DOING SO.

"I DO URGE PATIENTS TO LET HOSPITALS HAVE THEIR VIEWS. ONLY BY KNOWING WHAT YOU THINK CAN WE SERVE YOU BETTER.

M

THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOW UPGRADE OUR

HOSPITALS.

SPECIALIST

CLINICS AND

MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO SPEND :

$287 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO REFURBISH AND EXPAND THE SPECIALIST CLINICS AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITALS. IN THE PROCESS, AVERAGE WAITING TIMES SHALL BE CUT FOR FIRST CONSULTATION BY AROUND 25 PER CENT.

*

$565

MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME. THIS MONEY WILL HELP RENOVATE BUILDINGS, MODERNISE OPERATING THEATRES, EXTEND AIR- CONDITIONING AND IMPROVE SUPPORT FACILITIES, INITIALLY AT 13 HOSPITALS.

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