XN000022-1994-02-23 — Page 25

15

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1994

THEY PLAY A KEY ROLE IN LAYING DOWN THE STRATEGIES AND DIRECTIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, OVERSEEING THE MANAGEMENT AND REVIEWING THE PERFORMANCE OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS.

THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR DECISIONS MADE AND IS ANSWERABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY FUNDED FROM PUBLIC REVENUE.

THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT MAY CONDUCT EXAMINATIONS ON THE ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH THE AUTHORITY HAS EXPENDED RESOURCES IN DISCHARGING ITS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ORDINANCE.

MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE TRANSPARENCY WAS FURTHER ENHANCED BY

A PATIENT-CENTRED CULTURE.

"TO TAKE A VERY POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN DEALING WITH PATIENT COMPLAINTS, A PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE HANDLES COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AT THE HOSPITAL LEVEL AS WELL AS CASES REFERRED TO IT BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS," SHE SAID.

IN ADDITION, THERE IS A CONSTANT FLOW OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY THROUGH NEWSLETTERS, PRESS BRIEFINGS AND

INTERVIEWS.

OTHER ONGOING PLANS TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE AUTHORITY ARE ALSO IN HAND.

MEASURES TO DETER UNLICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS

* * * * *

ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLICITY MEASURES ARE TAKEN ACTIVITIES OF UNLICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

TO DETER TRADE AND

REPLYING ΤΟ A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL WORKED TOGETHER CLOSELY IN MONITORING ACTIVITIES.

+

THE

FROM 1991 TO 1993, THE REGISTRAR REFERRED 50 REPORTS INVOLVING 90 SUSPECTED UNLICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS TO THE POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION.

PROSECUTION WAS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPECT OF 35 CASES, OF WHICH PERSONS WERE CONVICTED, ELEVEN CASES REMAIN OUTSTANDING.

38

ON PUBLICITY, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL MADE

PEAK REGULAR EFFORTS, PARTICULARLY BEFORE EACH ΤΟ EDUCATE SEASON,

THE PUBLIC THAT IT WAS AN

ΤΟ OFFENCE OUTBOUND TRAVEL SERVICE WITHOUT A LICENCE.

TRAVEL PROVIDE

AGENTS,

THE PUBLIC WAS ALSO ADVISED NOT TO PATRONISE UNLICENSED TRAVEL

HE ADDED,

/THE TRAVEL