The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident in Tsim Sha Tsui this morning (July 19) in which a man died.
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.
The Hospital Authority (HA) will launch a Patient Experience Survey next Monday (July 23) at its 26 Specialist Outpatient Clinics to better understand patients' experiences, feelings and feedback for further enhancement of service quality.
The HA spokesperson today (July 19) said the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has been commissioned to conduct the survey. Patients attending the selected specialist clinics will be randomly recruited for a telephone interview. The survey will take around five months to complete and will cover the following aspects:
"Patients' consent will be sought before commencement of the telephone interview and personal data will be handled in strict confidence. Patients are free to withdraw at any time from the survey in case they change their mind," the spokesperson said.
The HA appealed to patients to participate in the survey. "Continuous quality improvement is an integral part of corporate governance. We always treasure patients' views on hospital services. To continuously enhance our service quality, healthcare professionals should have a better understanding on patients' needs. The feedback from patients will definitely help in mapping out our service directions as well as formulation of improvement initiatives," the spokesperson stressed.
The first Patient Experience Survey was launched in 2010. To facilitate ongoing monitoring of patient service quality, the HA will continue to conduct HA-wide inpatient as well as specialist outpatient or specialty-based surveys at regular intervals.
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 19) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Upper Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
Following is the opening remarks by the Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee, Mr Chan Kin-por, at the end-of-session press conference at the LegCo Complex today (July 18):
During the 2017-2018 legislative session, the Finance Committee has held 54 meetings spanning about 184 hours. The Committee has deliberated and approved 98 financial proposals involving a total commitment of $251.4 billion, a record high since the 2012-2013 session. The approved proposals include:
(a) public works projects such as Central Kowloon Route Main Works costing $42.3 billion and (development and) redevelopment of five hospitals costing $29.6 billion;
(b) non-works proposals such as a commitment of $30.3 billion for promoting innovation and technology in Hong Kong and a provision of about $10.3 billion for six universities to build student hostels; and
(c) establishment proposals to create 68 directorate posts.
I notice that there is obvious improvement in efficiency in the Finance Committee. On average, the Committee spent a shorter time on an item this year, which is 1.4 hours per item versus four hours last year. This is mainly attributed to the amendments made to the Rules of Procedure and the Finance Committee Procedure in the year, achieving a saving of 26.5 hours. It is also worth mentioning that the Government and Members have adopted a pragmatic approach to the Committee's work.
On the other hand, the proportion of proposals already discussed and endorsed by the two Subcommittees (i.e. the Establishment Subcommittee and the Public Works Subcommittee) taken out for separate discussion in the Finance Committee is still high; 50 per cent of Public Works items endorsed were taken out versus 89 per cent last year, while 75 per cent of Establishment items were taken out versus 79 per cent last year. On this, I have to say that we need to avoid repetitive discussions and dwelling on wide policy issues.
In face of the Committee's heavy workload and the aspirations of Members to perform their gate-keeping role, I have strived to ensure smooth and orderly conduct of meetings and made conscientious efforts to facilitate communications among different political parties outside meetings. Looking ahead, I would like to call on both Members and government officials to get well prepared before meetings and maintain close communications outside meetings, so as to enable the Committee to perform its functions effectively and efficiently.
Lastly, I am most grateful to the Deputy Chairman, Members and the Secretariat staff for their support over the past year.
Police today (July 18) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Sha Tin.
Yuen Ka-mei, aged 38, went missing after she was last seen in a shopping mall on Sha Tin Station Circuit yesterday afternoon (July 17). Her family made a report to Police on the same day.
She is about 1.58 metres tall, 63 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with leaf pattern, yellow trousers and white shoes.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9860 7892, or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any Police station.
