Press Releases
Food and Health Bureau follows up Ombudsman's recommendations
The Food and Health Bureau accepted the findings and recommendations made in
the Ombudsman's direct investigation report on checking of eligibility for
subsidised public hospital and health care services, a spokesman for the
bureau said today (January 28).
"We will actively explore feasible solutions to address the problem in
conjunction with relevant parties including the Hospital Authority (HA),
Department of Health, the Security Bureau and the Immigration Department (ImmD)
through an inter-departmental working group," he said.
The purpose of the inter-departmental working group is to find a way to stop
former non-permanent residents (e.g. those with their resident limit of stay
expired) from accessing public hospital and health care services at
subsidised rate by presenting their 'un-returned' non-permanent Hong Kong
Identity Card (HKIC).
"In the short term, we would explore possible measures including the conduct
of manual checking of travel documents of non-permanent residents,
promulgation of clear guidelines for frontline staff and making publicity on
the checking arrangements.
"In contemplating any manual checking arrangements, we would strike a
balance between the possible adverse impact of any additional checking
procedure on the waiting time of patients and service efficiency and the
need to safeguard proper use of public resources, having regard to the size
of the potential problem," the spokesman said.
Noting that the smart identity card system would be due for review and
upgrade/replacement in a few years' time, the spokesman pointed out that the
bureau would take this opportunity to consult with relevant
bureaus/departments in exploring the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of
alleviating the burden of manual checking through electronic means as a
long-term solution.
A small-scale survey jointly conducted by HA and ImmD found that among about
220,000 HKIC holders who had actually accessed HA's services with HKIC
during the period from December 10-15, 2009, about 0.05% of them had their
length of stay expired. This accounted for about 1.4% of the "C-code" HKIC
holders (i.e. those subjected to limit of stay).
To facilitate more accurate estimation of the size of the problem, HA and
ImmD will conduct a similar post-service survey for a longer period of time.
The survey results would be available in the first quarter of 2010.
"The bureau will, in the light of the survey findings formulate the
appropriate strategy to tackle the issue. Meanwhile, we will maintain the
policy and practice to provide treatment to patients in emergency and to
charge them later regardless of their resident status," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, January 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:48
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