TNAG-2212-FCO40-3172-Hong-Kong-annual-report-for-1990-1991 — Page 54

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X GENERAL SOCIAL CONDITIONS

38. There were significant developments on four fronts in

the Territory's medical and health services. These were

hospital services, primary health care, Chinese medicine,

and the establishment of an Academy of Medicine.

39.

The statutory Hospital Authority was established on

1 December 1990. It will take over the management and

control of public hospitals in 1991, with a view to

improving the quality and efficiency in the delivery of hospital services. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Government are

examining the feasibility of developing medical insurance so

as to promote greater freedom of choice for patients.

40. The working party set up in August 1989 to review Hong

Kong's primary health care services presented its report in December 1990. It recommended a wide range of measures to improve the quality of primary health care, building on the

existing infrastructure. The Hong Kong Government are

studying these proposals and will be consulting the public

around the middle of 1991. Another working party set up at the same time to study the use and practice of traditional

Chinese medicine in Hong Kong continued its deliberations

throughout the year. It will make an interim report before

the summer of 1991.

41. A Preparatory Committee was appointed to plan and

prepare for the formation of the Hong Kong Academy of

Medicine, which will be responsible for organising and

supervising post-graduate and continuing medical education

and the accreditation of specialist status. The aim is that

the Academy should come into being in 1991.

42. The most significant event in the welfare field during

1990 was probably the publication, for the purpose of public

consultation, of a draft White Paper on social welfare

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