would not appear to be practicable since the Old Age Allowance is intended to meet the additional needs of the elderly whilst the Public Assistance scheme covers basic needs. It is difficult to define and to cost these additional needs since they vary considerably from person to person. The present level of payment is linked to the Public Assistance scheme which is based on a cost of living price index, and there is advantage in maintaining this link.
Health
4.7
The expansion of geriatric services should fit in with the overall development of medical and health services for the general community, as recommended by the Medical Develop- ment Advisory Committee. Old people requiring hospital or out-patient treatment will continue to be treated in both geriatric and general medical wards or clinics; however in new hospital and polyclinic projects, geriatric wards or clinics will be included as components of a geriatric unit. Three such projects are planned at Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Kwun Tong between 1983 and 1986. The Medical and Health Department has introduced, on a trial basis, special consultation sessions for elderly patients in a number of general out-patient clinics. If this is successful, the practice will be extended to all the other large clinics.
4.8
Day hospitals play an important role in supplementing the in-patient treatment required by elderly people by continuing to provide curative and rehabilitative services on a non- residential basis. The long term target is to provide one day hospital place for every 1000 popula- tion aged 65 and over.
4.9
The Government believes that expansion of the general community nursing service offers the greatest scope for improving health services for the elderly. This scheme is designed to cover basic nursing care of geriatric patients and the physically and mentally handicapped, and post-hospitalisation medical and surgical nursing care for discharged patients of all ages. On the advice of the Medical Development Advisory Committee, the current pilot community nursing scheme operated by voluntary agencies is being replaced in April 1979 by a fully integrated scheme within the overall medical and health services of Hong Kong. The Government will participate directly in the scheme by establishing community nursing services based on its regional hospitals, extending them to the new towns as Sha Tin and Tuen Mun Hospitals come into operation. The expansion will be phased in over the next five years with a target training figure of 350 additional nurses (in the ratio of 1 Registered Nurse to 4 Enrolled Nurses). With a total force of 380 nurses, it should be possible to provide a reasonable service, other than in the more remote areas of the New Territories, for the elderly as well as for the other categories that will be served by the scheme. The Government will review this target and the scope of the service in the light of experience and the resources available. To facilitate expansion of the existing services provided by the voluntary sector, an improved basis for subventing the agencies involved is being considered.
4.10
The Green Paper suggested that a Medical Service for Old People, based on the School Medical Service, might offer a practical approach towards improving health services for the elderly. This proposal has been reconsidered in the light of the public's reaction and the advice of the Medical Development Advisory Committee. In view of the considerable doubts about the viability of such a service, it has been decided that resources would be better utilised in expanding the community nursing service and day hospital facilities as outlined above, augmented by geriatric wards, clinics and places in care and attention homes.
4.11
Health education on the aging process and its associated physiological and psycho- sociological changes will benefit the elderly in looking after their own health. The Central Health Education Unit of the Medical and Health Department will serve as a resource, advisory and co- ordinating body and will work closely with other Government departments and the voluntary sector in promoting good health practices amongst the elderly through campaigns, exhibitions, lectures and other publicity measures. Apart from the main centre located on the Island, three
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