Press Releases
SFH on medical incident reports
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session
after attending the Technical Consultation on Health Sector Response to
HIV/AIDS among Men who have sex with Men today (February 18):
Reporter: (Caritas Medical Centre report)
Secretary for Food and Health: I think the report from the Caritas Medical
Centre reflects that there are deficiencies in the decision and the
judgement of the two administrators. And taking into consideration that both
of them have been in their position for a relatively short time, I think the
penalty is sufficient. More importantly, we should take lessons from what
happened to ensure that the hospital develops a patient-centred policy, and
particularly the accident and emergency department, in order to formulate
better supporting services for the department and the hospital. I think the
main message for this report is able to learn from mistakes and also to
correct them as soon as possible.
Reporter: (What else can you do on Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
report)
Secretary for Food and Health: Of course, I am disappointed with the lack of
findings in the report regarding the reasons for losing the baby body and
the difficulties in locating the whereabouts of the body. This will give
grave concerns to the parents and also the family members. I have already
said that anybody who made mistakes can be excusable but anybody who lied
about making mistakes is inexcusable. I think it is important that we take
very seriously the staff concerned who have provided wrong information to
the hospital, to the family members of this baby as well as to the police.
Reporter: Do you think the hospital chief should step down?
Secretary for Food and Health: No, I think she has tried her best to solve
and investigate this problem.
Reporter: (Delay of the bird flu report in Yuen Long farm)
Secretary for Food and Health: The report is being processed mainly because
we have to recommend some new biosecurity measures to the farmers. And the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is going through the
process of educating the farmers right now.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:11
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