Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ16: Number of doctors in Tuen Mun Hospital
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki and a written reply by the
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council
today (May 16):
Question:
It has been reported that the results of the latest Hospital Authority's staff
opinion survey reveal that doctors and nurses in the New Territories West
Cluster (NTWC), with Tuen Mun Hospital as the leading hospital, are most
discontented with their present work. Some doctors of Tuen Mun Hospital have
relayed to me that there is serious shortage of manpower in the hospitals under
NTWC. According to Government information, the ratio of doctors per 1 000
population in NTWC has been lower than that of most other clusters for four
consecutive years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council
of the respective numbers of doctors in service, departed from and newly
recruited to work in Tuen Mun Hospital in each of the past five financial years,
broken down by ranks and departments, including the general/family medicine
out-patient service and various specialties?
Reply:
Madam President,
The number of doctors in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) has been increasing in the past
five financial years, from 399 in 2002-03 to 518 in 2006-07. The number of
doctors in active service, left the service and newly recruited at TMH in each
of the past five financial years are shown in Annex 1. The total number of
doctors by ranks in various clinical departments for the same period is shown in
Annex 2.
The New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) attaches great importance to the
workload and morale of its staff. The NTWC plans to increase manpower by more
than 5% in 2007-08, including recruitment of some 80 medical officers. The
additional manpower, apart from enabling improvement of hospital services, would
also relieve workload of frontline staff, as well as enhancing promotion
prospects of existing staff. In addition, a designated Working Group has been
set up under the NTWC to gauge and follow-up on the concerns of staff of
different grades. The Working Group will put forward specific recommendations to
the management to ensure that staff's concerns are duly addressed. The above
initiatives will enhance the working environment of the staff and at the same
time improve their morale.
Ends/Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:36
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Annexes to LCQ16