Photograph of the Hospital from Shouson Hill.
estimated time, and it can be fairly claimed that nowhere else in the world could a hospital of this size have been built and equipped in less than a year from the time when work was com- menced. This is especially note- worthy as, in the excavation of the site for the basement and sub-base- ment of the hospital block, almost solid rock was found unexpectedly. Air- compressors for drilling, and dynamite were used to excavate over 110,000 cubic feet of rock as quickly as pos sible, but
but this caused considerable delay in starting the western section of the building.
a sub-basement containing the laundry.
Generally speaking the accommoda- tion of the main hospital building is similar right through from the ground floor to the 7th floor. At the east and west wings of the building are situated the general wards, each containing 24 beds. These wards have windows on both sides providing ample light and through draught. Each ward is divided into three sections by glazed partitions where beds are placed, head to head, enabling the whole ward to be seen by the staff while giving the necessary protection to the patients. The lavatory and bathing accommoda- tion for each ward is placed at the extreme ends, together with the sub- sidiary staircases which provide extra
The Sisters' Quarters and the Doctors' Quarters.
Over 500 tons of steel and 210,000 building with eight floors, giving ac- circulation facilities from floor to floor. cubic feet of concrete were used in the commodation for 540 paying patients, main structure.
The exception to this arrangement and the four-storeyed administration is that in the west wing of the ground The total cost of the building, in- building.
floor there is a Children's Ward to cluding site formation, was $3,750,000, Four ancillary buildings house the take 40 beds (including four isolation and of equipment $1,500,000, giving doctors, nurses, male hospital staff compartments). This ward opens out a total completed cost of $5,250,000, and the domestic staff. The mortuary onto a large roof area above the main i.e., a capital cost per bed (exclusive is at the north-east corner of the kitchen which is situated in the base- of land, which had been provided free grounds.
by Government) of $9,720 or just In designing a tuberculosis hospital
over £600 Sterling.
ment below. This roof is railed in sand pit for small patients who can for a play area with flower boxes and
be allowed up.
airiness and spaciousness are a prime The whole of this capital cost has necessity, and it is for this reason that been provided by Government, $1, the main hospital building takes the
In the centre of the south side of 500,000 by way of grant and the form of a thin vertical slab and is the building, there are four second- remaining $3,750,000 as an interest- kept well away from the administra- class wards, each containing 4 beds, free loan, repayable, after a rest of tion building, so that there will be the which is the arrangement on the three years, over 27 years by equal maximum of through ventilation. It ground, first, second and fourth floors. is oriented to catch the summer brec- On the third floor these four wards are specially equipped as post-opera- tive units with sluicing rooms in place of lavatory accommodation, and have oxygen and suction points available for every bed.
annual instalments.
winter.
In addition, the training of staff zes, while being sheltered by the hills and other non-capital expenses have to the north from the cold winds in amounted to just over $200,000, which
It faces just east of south to has been defrayed from interest earned. give shelter from the summer sun.
The main hospital building, although Description of the Building
forming one complete building, Situated at a height of 105 feet built in three separate sections with above sea level overlooking the Wong expansion joints between. The west Chuk Hang valley and Deep Water ern section contains, in addition to the Bay, near Aberdeen, Hong Kong, the eight main floors, a basement contain- hospital consists of the main hospital ing the kitchens and store-rooms and
10
is
On the fifth, sixth and seventh
floors, instead of four 4-bed wards and the day room in the centre bay, there are seven 2-bed wards with at- tached toilet and lavatory facilities.
In addition to these ward and pri