TNAG-1604-FCO40-2211-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-reports-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kon-1988 — Page 35

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46.

Following consideration of a consultants' report on the

Delivery of Medical Services in Hospitals, the Hong Kong Government

have decided in princple to establish a statutory Hospital

Authority, with regional committees, to manage all government and

government-subvented hospitals. This is expected to bring about a

more efficient and rational use of hospital facilities and of staff

resources. It is intended to form a provisional Hospital Authority

in April 1988 to oversee the legislative and administrative steps

necessary for the formal establishment of the full Authority. The

Authority will have a Hospital Services Department as its executive

arm and a Department of Health will be formed within the Government

to concentrate on the promotion of public health and preventive

medical care. They will replace the present Medical and Health

Department of the government. It will be necessary for all staff

working under the Hospital Authority to have common terms and

conditions of service. Ways to achieve this will be considered at

an early stage and consultations on the issues involved are being

held with hospital staff and with the subvented organisations

affected.

(a)

Social Welfare

47. Although Hong Kong does not have a fully fledged public

welfare system, the Hong Kong Government do have arrangements to

make social security payments to the needy, the elderly and the

disabled. They are non-contributory and are paid for out of general

revenue. The arrangements are designed to bring the incomes of

recipients up to a level where essential needs, such as food,

clothing and accommodation, can be met. The special needs of the

elderly and the disabled are covered by additional allowances.

basic rates of Public Assistance and Special Needs Allowance are

revised from time to time in the light of inflation and it is

expected that a further increase of about 10 per cent will be made

in April 1988. In addition, following an overall review of the

Public Assistance Scheme, certain improvements, designed

particularly to benefit large families, were introduced on 1 January

1988.

The

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