MC(15)
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
1.
re SUN YAT SEN HOSPITAL
APPENDIX C
Arrangements are in hand between DHSS and the Commonwealth Nursing Federation for the provision of a Nurse Tutor to serve, at least in the initial stages, the new hospital.
1.2.
The British Trade Commission will maintain contact with Dr P C Wong, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and will process information as and when the project gets off the ground.
1.3. Following official approval, expected to be imminent, selection of a consultant to oversee the whole project will probably be made from a short list of five, representing UK, USA, Japan, West Germany and Australia. It is likely that the final choice will be between UK and Australia. Mention of the consultancy should not be reported as it is thought that intervention by another UK consultant at this stage could cause confusion, delay and lose the contract altogether for
the UK.
2.
re GOODMAN & CO
It seemed, after having visited the firm of Goodmans on each of the two visits paid to Hong Kong, that the firm badly needed an injection of capital in order that the premises could be enlarged, additional service engineers taken on, and the range of goods extended. Shortage of experienced staff has appeared to slow down indents to manufacturers and customer servicing, with the result that UK principals are in some cases - being wrongly blamed. It was heard late in the visit that Jardine's had recently made an approach to Goodmans following their successful overtures to E I Parrish Ltd in Singapore and Malaysia. The conditions of the approach are not known but it is thought unlikely that Jardines will allow the firm to continue on its present path without some stimulation.
2.2. Goodmans represent Zimmer (UK), Seton Products, Portex, Thackray and Rank-Cox, and would like to represent more UK manufacturers but there would appear to be some doubt as to whether the firm have the necessary capacity at the moment, if some form of technical maintenance is required after sales.
3.
re PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL
It is unfortunate that all the 14 (relatively-long) outstanding indents referred to in conversation by way of complaints, with the hospital authorities, had been placed in the first instance with the local office of the Crown Agents, whose organisation is still in the minds of many purchasers, closely associated with the name of the British Government to whom subsequent complaints are being directed or to whom future orders will be lost as the Government and private sectors look elsewhere for a source of supply. The complaints refer, in the main, to poor administration leading to delays in delivery, lack of communication, and lack of servicing after installation.
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