The 2.6% increase in funding to the Hospital Authority will be used to enhance healthcare services, including providing new cancer drugs, the authority Chairman Anthony Wu says.

In response to the budget allocation to the authority in 2008-09, Mr Wu said the continuous support from the Government reflects its commitment to providing quality healthcare services to the community.

The additional funding will be used in the following key programmes:

* enhancing services in New Territories West through phased opening of the redeveloped Pok Oi Hospital and Rehabilitation Block of Tuen Mun Hospital;

* expanding Tseung Kwan O Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Centre, enhancing breast cancer services at United Christian Hospital, and establishing an integrated one-stop ambulatory otorhinolaryngology centre;

* providing additional haemodialysis and new cancer drugs;

* strengthening mental health programmes such as enhancement of post-discharge community support to frequent admitters and psychiatric consultation liaison service of A&E departments;

* launching a pilot scheme for accreditation in public hospitals to improve patient safety;

* extending the psychogeriatric outreach programme to all residential care homes for the elderly.