HEALTH
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District Health System
The District Health System is a new organisational framework for the delivery of primary health care services. It attaches importance to the need for efficient co-ordination among various providers of medical and health services and community participation. One of its main features is the decentralisation of health services from the regional to the district level and public involvement in service planning and health promotion.
A pilot District Health System programme was initiated in 1992 in Kwun Tong. To facilitate co-ordination with hospitals and other community service providers and the community, a District Health Committee was set up. Its functions include liaison between different services, provision of a forum for information exchange and enhancing the role of the community in the identification of health needs.
Hospitals and Development Programmes
Hospitals in Hong Kong provide a total of 26 412 beds, representing 4.6 beds per thousand population. Public hospitals provide low-charge services which are easily accessible to the people of Hong Kong. In 1992, 693 200 patients were treated in public hospitals, while 4 251 360 attendances were made at specialist clinics.
Cases of acute illness and accident casualties are handled by the accident and emergency departments of major public hospitals free of charge. In 1992, 1 286 500 attendances were made - an average of 3 515 per day.
During the year, demand for hospital services remained high, as reflected by the consistently large number of attendances at out-patient and specialist clinics, accident and emergency departments, and the number of hospital admissions. In addition, both the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority continue to provide medical care to Vietnamese migrants. In 1992, they accounted for 13010 attendances at accident and emergency departments and 11 350 hospital admissions, with a total of 69 130 bed days occupied.
Projects in the hospital development programme have progressed satisfactorily with the opening of the Argyle Street Ophthalmic Centre and the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital Paramedical Block. Construction work on the 1 620-bed Pamela Youde Hospital in Chai Wan is scheduled for completion in late 1992.
New or additional services are being progressively introduced in Tuen Mun Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital Extension, Ruttonjee Hospital, Shatin Cheshire Home and Shatin Infirmary and Convalescent Hospital. The accident and emergency service provided by Tuen Mun Hospital has been extended to 24 hours per day since early 1992.
Major projects under construction include extension to the United Christian Hospital, refurbishment and air-conditioning of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and expansion of the delivery suite and specialist clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital. Future projects include redevelopment of Haven of Hope Hospital, redevelopment of Castle Peak Hospital, relocation of Nethersole Hospital to Tai Po, extension of Kwong Wah Hospital, establishment of a Geriatric Day Hospital at Wong Tai Sin Infirmary and construction of Tai Po Infirmary and Convalescent Hospital.
Clinics
General out-patient services form a vital part of the health care system. Government now operates 63 general out-patient clinics. In the more densely-populated areas with higher