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AOLF
Health
To cope with the continuing increase in demand for medical services, the Medical and Health Department embarked on a comprehensive medical development programme which includes the construction of at least four major hospitals and 22 additional clinics and polyclinics in the coming decade.
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Construction of the Tuen Mun Hospital, which will have 1 600 beds, is near completion and a topping out ceremony for the hospital was performed by the Chief Secretary, Sir David Akers-Jones, in August.
When completed in 1988, the hospital will reinforce medical services in the northwest of the New Territories. It is a further example of the government's policy of expanding medical facilities in the New Territories to keep up with the growth of the population in these areas, especially evident in the new towns.
Site formation work has started on the long-awaited 1 600-bed Eastern District Hospital on Hong Kong Island. The hospital, which will be completed by 1991-2, will provide a comprehensive range of specialist treatment facilities, including a round-the-clock accident and emergency service and a psychiatric nurse training school.
Construction work on the Queen Mary Hospital extension Stage II is expected to be completed in 1989. The hospital will then provide two multi-storey blocks with an addition of 844 beds, and some new psychiatric and paediatric facilities.
The government has also approved funds for extensive redevelopment of the 280-bed Ruttonjee Sanatorium in Wan Chai to convert it from an institution for chest and tuberculosis patients into a general hospital, with 462 beds.
The most significant event of the year in the medical and health field was the publication in late March 1986 of a consultant's report on the delivery of medical services in public hospitals.
The report was the result of a 10-month review of 'the delivery of medical services in Hong Kong' carried out for the government in February 1985 by an Australian con- sultancy firm.
The government, while welcoming the report, has decided that it is necessary first to seek the views of the public, and in particular those involved in the health care system, before making a decision on the recommendations.
Copies of the English and Chinese texts of the full report, together with a summary, were distributed to interested professional bodies, staff associations and the general public. The public were invited to convey their comments on the report to the Secretary for Health and Welfare before the end of August.
Another significant development in the medical field, which has far-reaching im- plications, was the setting up of a Working Party on Postgraduate Medical Education and Training.