XN000022-1994-01-06 — Page 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994

GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NEEDS SENSIBLE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE COSTS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE AND THE NEED FOR SENSIBLE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS IF THE HEALTH OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS TO REMAIN GOOD, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION,

SPEAKING AT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY'S MR PATTEN SAID SOME PEOPLE STILL FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN THE LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS AND MARKETS WAS APPLIED TO HEALTH CARE.

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"THERE IS A TENDENCY HERE, AS ELSEWHERE, то SEE HEALTH CARE AS TOO FUNDAMENTAL AN ISSUE TO APPLY NORMAL BUSINESS PRACTICES,' HE SAID.

THE OBJECTIVE FOR THE CORPORATE PLAN OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS TO ACHIEVE QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE HOSPITAL SERVICES, SAID MR PATTEN.

"I BELIEVE MOST STRONGLY THAT MARKET MECHANISMS ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN ACHIEVING THAT OBJECTIVE, HE SAID.

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ARE

AN

THERE ARE TWO REASONS.

"FIRST, THE KEY POINT OF MARKET MECHANISMS IS NOT THE QUESTION OF PRICE, BUT THE INDICATION THAT THEY GIVE AS TO THE STATE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND, HE SAID.

H

THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED THAT A FREELY OPERATING MARKET WAS THE MOST EFFICIENT MECHANISM THEY KNEW FOR IDENTIFYING WHERE NEEDS WERE AND DIRECTING RESOURCES TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

HE SAID: "A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT IS TRULY PUTTING THE PATIENT FIRST NEEDS TO HAVE THE MECHANISMS TO IDENTIFY THE DEMANDS ITS PATIENTS AND RESPOND TO THEM QUICKLY,

"SECOND, INEFFICIENCIES ARE A GREAT ENEMY OF QUALITY.

"THEY TEND TO DISCOURAGE INITIATIVE AND IMPROVEMENT."

BY PROMOTING THE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES

THE

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-

OF

ENCOURAGING

QUALITY MANAGEMENT

MARKET MECHANISMS HELP ΤΟ PROMOTE THE QUALITY OF FRONT LINE CARE TO THE PATIENT, HE NOTED.

"WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE PRUDENT AND SECURE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FINE SYSTEM. THAT HAS BEEN BUILT UP CAN BE MAINTAINED AND DEVELOPED TO MEET HONG KONG'S CHANGING NEEDS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO COMMENDED THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FOR SHOWING THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ITS OWN IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS, SUCH THAT THE HONG KONG HOSPITAL SYSTEM COULD OFFER INSPIRATION TO OTHER TERRITORIES IN HOW TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE THEIR OWN SYSTEMS.

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