Press Releases

SHWF on Hospital Authority's settlement package for doctors

Following is a transcript of the remarks (English portion) by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session at the Legislative Council Building today (June 21):

Reporter: (On the Hospital Authority's proposed settlement on doctors' claims)

Dr Chow: I am very happy to see that there is some agreement between the management of the Hospital Authority and the doctors' representatives regarding the compensation of leave and overtime. This is the first step of establishing a much better staff and management relationship. It will be very helpful for the Hospital Authority to introduce a more long-term strategy in developing the professional standard and professional training of our medical doctors. Regarding the amount, I think $600 million is a big amount by any standard. The Hospital Authority has a recurrent expenditure of more or less $30 billion each year. I think they have a certain flexibility in dealing with its funding options, including transferring between the different funds. They also have the authority to take up loans. We would like to see how they would actually look at the whole situation and come up with an appropriate option of funding source first. We are of course very concerned about how they handle it and we will be maintaining close contact with them on their arrangement.

Reporter: Is the Government prepared to give it some financial assistance?

Dr Chow: "No" at this moment. I think this is still a Hospital Authority affair. We would like to ensure that they would undergo their option analysis before we try to interfere.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)




Ends/Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:01

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