The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
      
     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (January 31) said the Authority will optimise the use of the one-off additional allocation of $500 million from the Government. A detailed report will soon be submitted to the Secretary for Food and Health and related measures will be implemented as early as possible with Government's endorsement.

     The spokesperson once again welcomes the additional allocation and said HA will deploy the resources to implement various targeted measures including the increase of healthcare manpower. The HA will address and relieve the work pressure of frontline staff under the Winter Surge with the following measures:
 

1. To provide additional clerical support to healthcare staff under this service surge period with a more flexible special allowance for the clerical staff;
2. to further relax the Special Honorarium Scheme to cover all grades of staff who will contribute during the Winter Surge period, including clerical staff, supporting staff, allied health professional, doctors and nurses;
3. to provide additional support and supervision to healthcare staff on night-shift duties; and
4. to adjust the Special Honorarium Scheme allowance during the Lunar New Year holidays.

     Furthermore, HA will expedite the process of abolishing the policy on incremental pay freeze for the first two years of newly recruited staff. The HA will communicate the implementation details in close collaboration with related staff groups with a view to boosting the morale of front-line staff.
      
     The HA recognises the stringent challenges facing public hospitals at the moment and thus has deployed all available manpower and resources to cope. The HA also deeply appreciates the front-line staff for their professionalism and dedication in taking care of the patients.

Ends/Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Issued at HKT 21:20

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