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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Professor John Leong, welcomed the 2015-16 Budget announced by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (February 25), making available a financial provision of $49.9 billion to the HA.
"With the financial provision from the Government and the HA's internal resources, the HA will strive to meet growing demand arising from population growth and ageing," Professor Leong said. "Two hundred and fifty additional beds will be opened, particularly in high-needs communities like Kowloon East, New Territories East and New Territories West Clusters, alongside the setting up of the fourth Joint Replacement Centre, provision of additional operating theatre sessions and enhanced endoscopy service.
"We will also enhance health-care services for the elderly population by strengthening the Community Geriatric Assessment Team Service and expanding the capacity of geriatric rehabilitation services."
To address the manpower shortage in public hospitals and work pressure of front-line staff, the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin, said the HA would continue to attract, motivate and retain health-care staff by enhancing professional training and providing better working environments, promotion prospects and remuneration.
"The HA will continue to recruit non-local doctors under limited registration and part-time doctors to alleviate the heavy workload of front-line doctors," Dr Leung said, adding that retirees would be rehired to address the imminent shortfall of manpower, especially in the medical and supporting staff groups.
Outlining the key patient care programmes, Dr Leung remarked that the HA would continue to introduce new drugs of proven safety and efficacy to the HA Drug Formulary for cancer treatment, chronic Hepatitis C and Crohn's disease and widen the indications of Special Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis. In mental health services, child and adolescent mental health services and services for patients with Common Mental Disorder will be enhanced.
Ends/Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:15
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