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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to the public consultation on the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) and regulation of private healthcare facilities launched by the Government today (December 15), the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman issued the following response:
HA welcomes the Government's direction of healthcare reform and will study the VHIS proposal that aims at facilitating a choice of private healthcare services for people willing and able to afford private healthcare.
Noting that VHIS will likely shift the balance between public and private healthcare, HA will stay vigilant on possible impacts to the public hospital system and will work closely with the Government on refocusing the service priorities as needed.
HA also welcomes the consultation on regulation of private healthcare facilities, including the regulatory regime on high risk medical procedures as well as enhancing the transparency of fees and charges.
Regarding medical incidents reporting, HA has attached great importance to investigation of root causes and open disclosure, and will support the future direction led by the Department of Health to align medical incidents reporting across public and private hospitals.
HA Board will deliberate on and discuss the two public consultation documents in due course.
Ends/Monday, December 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:43
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