annually. During recent years, a programme of modernization and expansion has been undertaken, with assistance from the Government, in staff especially medical officers and consultant services-money. and material. The subvention for this was $52,255,214.
203. Construction of the 12-storey Centenary Block in the Tung Wah Hospital was continued, and phase I of the project was completed in August 1972. Work on phase II began in early 1973. When com- pleted, the building will bave 424 beds, with a new casualty depart- ment. X-ray facilities, new operating theatres, and single quarters for 20 medical officers.
204. In the Kwong Wah Hospital, a medical social service was established in August 1972. Planning began during the year to erect a 10-storey clinical pathology building which will provide accommoda- tion for the clinical pathology service, the physiotherapy department, the occupational therapy department, the medical social service, and other services in the hospital.
205. The casualty section of the Kwong Wah Hospital handles accident cases occurring between Waterloo and Lai Chi Kok roads. Many patients were referred to it by government clinics in Kowloon and the New Territories. As a result, this casualty section dealt with cases not only from the northern part of Kowloon peninsula, but also from other areas. The officers attached to the police post, the industrial health division of the Labour Department, and the ambu- lance control post in the casualty section continued to work in close liaison with the staff there.
206. In the Wong Tai Sin Infirmary, there are altogether 681 beds, of which 185 are allocated to the government tuberculosis service. Palients for long term treatment are transferred to the Infirmary from the Queen Elizabeth or the Kwong Wah hospitals. There are also 503 beds in the Tung Wah Sandy Bay Convalescent Hospital for the treatment of chronic patients. But the provision of a total 1,184 beds for long-term patients under the management of the Tung Wah group of hospitals was still not sufficient, according to the year's experience. to meet the demand for more chronic beds in Hong Kong.
207. In March 1973, the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital completed its programme of alteration. The work carried out included the pro- vision of two major operating theatres, one minor theatre, two air- conditioned X-ray rooms, an expanded laboratory, and an enlarged
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kitchen. After the alteration, the hospital is expected to receive straight-forward emergency cases from its own out-palient section und receiving room, and also from the casually section of the Tang Shiu Kin Hospital,
ALICE HO MIÙ LING NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL
208. This hospital, supported by the London Missionary Society, received a subvention of $8,582,584 during the year. The hospital has been considerably modernized in recent years, and its facilities greatly improved.
209. It has had another busy year with an increase in in-patient admissions over the previous year of 15 per cent and in oul-patient attendances of 10 per cent. The greatest demand is on the obstetric service which remains overcrowded despite strict limitations bookings.
POK OF HOSPITAL
on
210. This charitable hospital in Yuen Long. New Territories. continued in 1972 to serve the population of Yuen Long and surround- ing areas. Recently, the hospital was modestly expanded and during the year the north wing extension project was completed and brought into use. The new building provides a kitchen, a laundry room, and quarters for minor staff.
211. To improve the use of facilities, two surgical teams from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital visited the Pok Oi once a week for surgical clinics and operations. A small quantity of blood began to be stocked in the hospital for urgent use when required.
CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE
212. The Caritas Medical Centre has 898 beds. It was erected with the aid of donations from Catholic communities in many parts of the world, in particular the Federal Republic of Germany, and is main- tained partly with the aid of a government subvention. In 1972, this was $5,495,940. The Centre is situated in the densely-populated district of So Uk in north-west Kowloon. It is administered by the Canossian Sisters and comprises blocks for general, tuberculosis, and cancer patients, as well as quarters for staff and a nurses training school. The hospital continued to play an active part in the provision of medical services in Hong Kong.
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