TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 154

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 May 1988

what is the difference, what is the rationale for the difference, and if the scale of charges for visitors is higher, is Government aware that some visitors may not be able to afford them?

SECRETARY FOR Health and WELFARE: Sir, with the exception of treatment at Accident and Emergency Departments, which is provided free, visitors using public hospital services in Hong Kong are regarded as non-entitled patients and are charged medical fees representing the full cost of any treatment provided. Holders of valid British passports are exempted from such charges because of a reciprocal arrangement with the United Kingdom Government which grants Hong Kong residents access to free medical treatment under the national health service.

While charges for private wards are the same for both visitors and local residents those for public wards are different. Visitors being treated in a public ward in a general hospital are required to pay a composite fee of $950 per day as compared with $23 a day for Hong Kong residents. The corresponding charges in psychiatric hospitals are $350 and $23. These fees are inclusive of main- tenance and treatment. Charges for visitors attending general and specialist outpatient clinics are $65 and $130 per visit respectively. The corresponding charges for local residents are $12 and $18.

The rationale behind this policy is to discourage non-entitled patients from coming to Hong Kong with the express intention of seeking medical treatment at heavily subsidised rates, which would be unfair to the Hong Kong taxpayer. Accordingly, higher medical charges for visitors were introduced in September 1987.

Non-entitled patients who require medical attention during their stay in Hong Kong are now subject to these higher charges but the Government is aware that some visitors may not be able to pay. In such cases, the Director of Medical and Health Services has discretionary powers to waive or reduce fees.

Government Business

First Reading of Bills

DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1988

GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988

Bill read the First time and ordered to be set down for Second Reading pursuant to Standing Order 41(3).

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