Public hospital hours to be extended in response to healthcare needs

The Government would introduce night clinics at Hospital Conde S. Januário and would extend the operating hours of the public facility, announced the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng. It is one of the Government’s strategies to manage the requirements of an ageing population and to satisfy the people’s healthcare needs, he said. Mr Tam made his comments to the media on 24 November when he visited a local school for students with special needs. The Secretary said the Government would need an additional 2,000 medical staff in the next four years to accommodate development of the public health system, which includes plans for the establishment of the Islands District Medical Complex on Cotai. The Health Bureau has this year completed recruitment processes for 591 medical personnel, said Mr Tam. The Government would strengthen training for medical personnel, to ensure they have adequate experience prior to taking up posts in the planned Islands District Medical Complex, he added. The Secretary said local residents would be given priority during the recruitment process for medical professionals. Specialists from the mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Portugal would also be considered for jobs. Mr Tam said waiting times for health services in the local public hospital were moderate compared to waiting times in other economically developed communities. Reforming the healthcare system was his policy priority, said the Secretary. He added that measures already introduced under his tenure included extending the operating hours of four specialist clinics and health centres. The Secretary thanked public health system staff for their dedication over the years in serving the local population. On the Health Bureau’s budget increase for 2016, Mr Tam said the Government attached great importance to providing health services and welfare to residents, delivered by suitably qualified staff. He stated the additional budget would be spent on optimising public healthcare services and improving the quality of medical personnel in that sector.