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IX. Healthcare
186. The ageing population brings challenges to our healthcare services. We will continue to enhance healthcare service provision, plan for healthcare manpower and improve regulation.
Public Healthcare Services
187. The Steering Committee on Review of Hospital Authority has reviewed the organisation structure, cluster arrangement, resources, performance and personnel management system of the HA to explore directions for enhancement and improvement. The Steering Committee will put forward recommendations within this year.
188. In 2015-16, the HA plans to spend about $1 billion out of the $13 billion provision granted for minor works projects to improve the facilities of public hospitals and clinics, such as adding hospital beds and other treatment and diagnostic facilities.
189. The Government will pursue the construction of an acute general hospital in the Kai Tak Development Area. Upon completion of Phase 1, there will be an oncology centre, as well as in-patient and ambulatory services. In addition, the HA plans to provide approximately 250 additional hospital beds, and increase operating theatre sessions and quota for endoscopy examination to cope with escalating demand.
190. The HA also plans to increase the general out-patient clinic episodic quota in the Kowloon Central, Kowloon East, Kowloon West, New Territories East and New Territories West Clusters in 2015-16. It will also enhance the effectiveness of medical treatment by expanding the coverage of the Drug Formulary.
191. The DH and the HA have set up a working group to study the feasibility of trying out in the public healthcare system a screening programme for newborn babies for inborn errors of metabolism. The working group will study the types of disease to be screened, scientific evidence on the effectiveness of screening, actual arrangements and related recommendations.
Elderly Healthcare Services
192. The HA will enhance healthcare services for elderly patients, including:
(i) finishing improvement works to barrier-free facilities in the remaining hospitals by the end of 2016, following completion of similar works in general out-patient clinics and acute hospitals at the end of 2014;
(ii) establishing Hong Kong's fourth joint replacement centre in the New Territories East Cluster; and
(iii) strengthening geriatric rehabilitation and palliative care services and enhancing the service of the Community Geriatric Assessment Teams.
General Out-patient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme
193. Last year, the HA launched the pilot General Out-patient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme in three districts, allowing chronic disease patients (for example, those suffering from hypertension) who are in stable conditions to choose to receive out-patient services from private doctors in the respective districts. The HA plans to extend the programme to the remaining 15 districts in phases.
Chinese Medicine Testing Centre
194. The Government will plan and develop a testing centre for Chinese medicine to be managed by the DH. The testing centre will specialise in the testing of, and scientific research on, Chinese medicine with a view to setting reference standards for the safety, quality and testing methods of Chinese medicine. With the guidance of an advisory board formed by renowned international experts, the DH will continue to study and formulate more Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) through the testing centre. The testing centre will also embark on relevant hi-tech research with a view to strengthening the capability for the quality control and identification of Chinese medicine. A herbarium on Chinese medicine of international standard will be set up. Through various platforms and close collaboration with the relevant international and Mainland organisations, the testing centre will help promote the HKCMMS and the reference standards for testing Chinese medicine as authoritative international benchmarks to pave the way for the internationalisation of Hong Kong's Chinese medicine industry.
Healthcare Manpower Planning
195. The Steering Committee on Strategic Review on Healthcare Manpower Planning and Professional Development is conducting a comprehensive review of the manpower demand in various healthcare professions. It will put forward recommendations this year on ways to cope with the manpower demand, strengthen professional training and facilitate professional development.
Enhancing Regulation
196. The Government will strengthen regulation of private healthcare facilities by implementing the recommendations of the Steering Committee on Review of Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities. By assuring the quality and value of private healthcare services, we will be able to achieve the objectives of better protecting public health and supporting the development of private hospitals. We are consulting the public on our proposed regulatory regime. Subject to the outcome of the public consultation, we will implement it by legislation.
Voluntary Health Insurance
197. The Government is now consulting the public on the proposed Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we will implement the scheme by legislation.
(To be continued)
Ends/Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:58
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