Press Releases
SFH on medical incidents and doctors' pay cut
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 a public function today (August 31):
Reporter: (on medical blunders)
Secretary for Food and Health: Of course every time when there is a medical
incident in the Hospital Authority, we are concerned and worried. The recent
few cases are repetitions of mistakes of the same kind, usually affecting a
routine and the usual regular and basic procedures, rather than the
difficult and demanding procedures. We feel that this is an opportunity for
us to have a fresh look at the clinical audit system of the Hospital
Authority. In fact, this morning I had a meeting with (Hospital Authority
Chief Executive) Mr (Shane) Solomon regarding the clinical audit system
within the Hospital Authority. We feel that this requires a fresh look and
perhaps strengthening in certain areas. The Hospital Authority would devise
a new scheme of clinical audit, hopefully to assist the frontline workers to
work more efficiently and to ensure that the accountability of the frontline
staff is well delineated, to simplify some of the complex procedures that
should not be so complex. He would be giving me a report within two or three
weeks and hopefully to implement the new system within three months.
Reporter: (on doctors' pay cut)
Secretary for Food and Health: First of all, the medical incidents are
related to the public and our patients. What you are talking on pay cuts is
staff relationship within the Hospital Authority. I believe with the
goodwill of the management and the Public Doctors' Association, it will be
resolved.
Reporter: (on doctors' pay cut)
Secretary for Food and Health: I think every time when there is any
adversity within an organisation, the image will be affected. But I think it
is also a time that we can ensure that there is goodwill between the
management and doctors' group in this particular case. I will be meeting
some of them this evening and I am sure that this will be resolved amiably.
Reporter: Will you be giving them a deadline?
Secretary for Food and Health: I don't think I need to give anybody any
deadline in resolving this issue because all parties concerned want to
resolve it as soon as possible and I believe they can.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:34
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