XN000022-1995-07-01 — Page 3

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Public and private hospitals complement each other

The acting Chief Secretary, Mr Michael Suen, said although public and private hospitals played different roles, they complemented each other by providing patients with more comprehensive and cost-effective medical services.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Sha Tin Union Hospital today (Saturday), Mr Suen said private hospitals, like the public ones, had to fully utilise their resources. They both satisfy public needs for medical services and bear a social responsibility.

He hoped the Sha Tin Union Hospital would provide a patient-oriented service to ensure patients' rights were respected.

Mr Suen said patients should be told clearly information such as the course of treatment and charges. They will then feel more reassured and confident in receiving

treatment.

A misunderstanding that private hospitals are purely profiteering organisations can also be removed.

Sha Tin Union Hospital is the first private hospital in the eastern New Territories.

End/Saturday, July 1, 1995

Employment agencies warned against overcharging

Operators of employment agencies should not engage in unlicensed operation, nor should they overcharge job applicants upon successful placements.

"Each employment agency operator must obtain a licence from the Labour Department at least one month before starting business," Labour Officer (Employment Agencies Administration), Miss Corrina Cheng, said today (Saturday).

The existing licence fee for an employment agency is $1,400 and $280 for a branch office.