news-22112024-142859

The Hospital Authority (HA) in Hong Kong is taking steps to improve governance and accountability following a review that highlighted unclear roles and responsibilities among staff. This initiative comes after a series of medical blunders raised concerns about the operations and management of public hospitals.

One of the key recommendations from the review committee is to enhance top-level oversight for quality and safety issues, as well as define roles, responsibilities, and authority at various levels within the organization. This will help clarify the expectations for staff and strengthen accountability for senior management.

HA Chief Executive Tony Ko emphasized the importance of delineating roles and responsibilities for staff at different levels. He also highlighted the need to incorporate elements of quality and safety into individual staff performance assessments to ensure accountability.

The review committee identified a strong sense of hierarchy among junior hospital staff, which often prevents them from speaking up about potential problems. This lack of communication can lead to incidents that could have been prevented with early intervention. Additionally, younger and less experienced staff members may require more training to become familiar with safety protocols and culture.

To address these issues, a high-level reform committee led by HA Chairman Henry Fan will focus on improving governance and accountability. The committee will work closely with the permanent secretary for health and the under secretary to provide policy directions and guidance.

While some recommendations, such as changing the culture of the HA, may take time to implement, Fan emphasized the importance of making changes as quickly as possible. The committee will also focus on strengthening clinical mentorship and supervision, as well as encouraging staff to report incidents promptly.

Overall, the HA is committed to enhancing governance and accountability within the organization to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety in public hospitals. By clarifying roles, improving communication, and implementing necessary training, the HA aims to create a culture of transparency and learning that benefits both staff and patients.