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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Professor John Leong, welcomed the Government's commitment in the health policy agenda of the Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive at the Legislative Council today (January 15).
"To cope with the ageing population and ever-increasing demand, we will continue to ensure the efficient use of public resources in enhancing public hospital services and improving service quality through various new and ongoing initiatives," Professor Leong remarked.
"The Authority is delighted to note the Government's commencement of strategic planning for a new acute hospital in the Kai Tak Development Area to meet the long-term healthcare needs of residents in Kowloon." This is alongside the construction that is under way for the new Tin Shui Wai Hospital and the Centre of Excellence in Paediatrics at Kai Tak, and the expansion and redevelopment of United Christian Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital and Kwai Chung Hospital.
Professor Leong added that the HA noted and supports the Government's plan to develop a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital to provide more healthcare service options for patients and that it is also opportune that the 18th public TCM clinic jointly operated by the HA, universities and non-government organisations will enter service this year.
Committed to continuous improvement in the provision of quality and effective services under the current twin-track healthcare system, Professor Leong said the HA will support the work of the HA Review Steering Committee to ensure the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.
"At the same time, the HA will further collaborate with private healthcare providers in various public-private partnership (PPP) programmes, including the new General Out-patient Clinic PPP Programme to be piloted in three districts, and continuation of PPP projects in the provision of haemodialysis services for end-stage renal disease patients, radiological investigation services for selected cancer patients and subsidised surgical operations for cataract patients."
To meet the high service demand, a total of 160 acute beds and seven beds in Intensive Care Units and High Dependency Units will be added in the coming year, while 11 500 additional sessions of computerised tomography scanning and ultrasound investigation will be provided.
To address the issue of long waiting time, Accident and Emergency Departments will continue to provide additional support sessions during peak hours, and 4 700 consultation sessions will be added for new cases in Specialist Outpatient Clinics.
Other key service improvement programmes of public hospitals in the coming year include enhancing treatment for the critically ill, elderly and infirmary patients. The HA Drug Formulary coverage will also be widened while the case management programme will be extended to all districts to provide intensive community support for patients with severe mental illness.
Ends/Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:50
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