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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to the establishment of the Hospital Authority (HA) Review Steering Committee by the Government, the HA Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu, today (August 21) pledged the support of the Authority in participating in and facilitating the work of the Steering Committee.
"The birth of the HA some 20 years ago has opened a new page in public hospital services, bringing over 40 public and subsidised hospitals under a single roof and subsequently managed under a cluster arrangement for better service delivery and efficiency," said Mr Wu.
He added that with the Government's continuing funding increase over the years to enhance public health-care services and augmentation of manpower, the HA has strived to ensure efficient use of resources amidst the challenges of a shortage of manpower, an ageing population, increase in chronic diseases and ever-escalating demand.
"Whilst we have constantly engaged independent consultants to review our structure, governance, management and services, we believe it is time to have an external committee to have a fresh look at these issues, taking into consideration the changes in the external environment with a view to further enhancing the service quality and ensuring the sustainability of the public health-care system," remarked Mr Wu.
Mr Wu has total confidence that the wide spectrum of backgrounds and perspectives of the Steering Committee members would be able to bring forward valuable insights to further improve the HA's essential role under the twin-track health-care system.
Both Mr Wu and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin, will represent the HA to serve in the Steering Committee.
Ends/Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:32
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