CONFIDENTIAL
機密
8
- 3 -
XCC(77)1
This would lead to a change in the present policy for the provi- sion of dental services in Hong Kong. As an early decision on this matter is important for the future planning of the Dental School, the Secretary, University and Polytechnic Grants Committee has enquired whether the Government would be prepared to consider the proposal of opening the Dental Teaching Hospital to members of the public on a walk-in basis.
Alternatives
9
Two other alternatives for providing patients for the Dental Teaching Hospital have been considered. The first alternative is to direct a number of Government servants and their dependants and inmates of penal institutions to the Dental Teaching Hospital. This is, however, unacceptable as:
(a)
it is not considered desirable for the direction to be given to Government servants and their dependants. Apart from the fact that this might lead to representa- tions from staff associations, accusing Government of breaching one of the conditions of service for Govern- ment servants, there is no guarantee that all the Government servants and their dependants who are directed to use the facilities at the Dental Teaching Hospital would in fact use the facilities; and
(b) the treatment of inmates of penal institutions at the
Dental Teaching Hospital would pose security and transport problems.
10
The second alternative is to allow school children to be treated at the Dental Teaching Hospital. This may generate a sufficiently large number of patients for the hospital but it is inadequate as a means in itself as the range of cases from this source will not provide the dental students with the full range of practice they would need during their clinical training.
11
In the circumstances, it is considered that to open the Dental Teaching Hospital to members of the public on a walk-in basis would be the best alternative.
Implications of the proposed policy on the Government Dental Service
12
The opening of the Dental Teaching Hospital to members of the public on a walk-in basis would lead to a demand for similar services
CONFIDENTIAL
機密