A&E system needs to be reviewed to gain the best value for money
- The strain of the health system has promoted a review of the flat, low fee to visit a public hospital accident and emergency centre. But convincing vulnerable elderly people, for example, that they should suddenly pay more is an unenviable task
Seasonal flu and the coronavirus have combined to raise pressure on the public health system. Patients and medical staff alike are feeling it. Waiting times are lengthening and workloads rising. So are the costs to the public purse.
This has helped prompt Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to propose a review of the flat, low fee for a visit to a public hospital accident and emergency centre.
Lo says people who “abuse” A&E services by seeking treatment for minor complaints could face higher fees, similar to the cost of a consultation with a private family doctor. But patients in urgent need of treatment might be charged a lower rate.
Lee says the city should review A&E charges as “in the past, we saw a lot of people using A&E services when they did not need them”. He says focus on preventing abuse could cut waiting times and improve service quality.
The government’s concern is understandable. The city has an enviable reputation for its universal healthcare system. But the accessibility and affordability for which it is renowned come at a price. The annual government grant to the Hospital Authority is set to exceed HK$100 billion.
Lo said that under the fee scale being considered for five categories of patients, those in the two most urgent could pay a lower fee than the current HK$180. A change was needed to prevent abuse of the system, especially for services charged at low rates.