Hospital Authority welcomes budget allocation in 2013-14
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Mr Anthony Wu, welcomed the 2013-14 Budget announced by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (February 27) and the continual increase in the recurrent budget allocation to the Authority.

     "We thank the Government for increasing the recurrent provision in 2013-14 for HA from $41.9 billion to $44.4 billion, representing an increase of 5.9 per cent over the current fiscal year," Mr Wu said.

     HA will strive to meet growing demand arising from population growth and ageing through opening of about 290 additional beds, particularly in high needs communities like the New Territories West and Kowloon East Clusters, and commissioning of the new hospital in North Lantau in phases.

     ¡§At the same time, we are mindful of the manpower shortage in public hospitals and work pressure on frontline staff.  We will continue to attract, motivate and retain healthcare staff by improving their working conditions and environment, enhancing promotion opportunities and professional training, and recruiting additional staff,¡¨ he added.

     Commenting on the other key service improvement programmes in the coming fiscal year, the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin, said that with the increased financial provision, HA will be able to widen the coverage and expand the use of drugs in the HA Drug Formulary.

     Dr Leung added that a one-off allocation of $10 billion is injected into the Samaritan Fund in the current year to provide adequate provision for its operation in the next 10 years or so, while the financial condition assessment has also been relaxed to benefit more patients.

     ¡§In the coming year, we will also enhance the treatment of life-threatening diseases, which includes, in phases, strengthening cardiac services, providing 24-hour thrombolytic service to improve acute stroke management, and enhancing haemodialysis service for renal patients.¡¨

     In the care for elderly patients, Dr Leung said that medical treatment would be strengthened particularly in the management of degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), osteoporotic fracture, and advanced Parkinson's disease.

     On measures to address long waiting times at out-patient clinics, Dr Leung said service quotas of General Outpatient Clinics will be increased alongside new initiatives in the waiting time management of Special Outpatient Departments to improve transparency and facilitate cross-cluster referral.

Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:21

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