Press Releases

SFH on medical manpower

Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (February 25):

Reporter: (on how to ensure that public health services will not be affected by possible industrial action by public doctors)

Secretary for Food and Health: Our doctors are very professional and they also have a very strong compassionate attitude towards their patients. I do not think they would like to endanger the safety of patients in our hospitals. But we need to address their concerns, particularly in some areas where they have very long working hours and very stressful working conditions, so that we can improve on some of the conditions they have. The solution lies in the agreement between the frontline, middle-ranking and also the senior staff in various hospitals. I think it is important for the management to work together with the frontline to ensure a suitable resolution could be done in those units. The Hospital Authority will also engage the staff union to see what other things are needed to be done in order to improve the conditions.

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


Ends/Friday, February 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:55

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