8. Once again the Director of Medical Services has had considerable help and advice from the Hong Kong and China Branch of the British Medical Association and the Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association.
9. Among the more important matters discussed with them was the problem of refugee doctors from China who had come to Hong Kong. Many of these doctors were leaders of their profession in their own country and with the great shortage of doctors in Hong Kong it was clear that the possibility of making use of their services required very serious consideration. The great majority of these doctors were not eligible for registration in Hong Kong and would not therefore be permitted to practice without some amendment in the law. The Director of Medical Services proposed to the two Medical Associations that such an amendment should be considered and later met a large representative gathering of the Associations to discuss the matter.
10. At this meeting many cogent arguments were brought forward why these doctors should not be admitted to the register. At the same time all felt that the fullest possible use should be made of their services and it was agreed that as far as possible they should be employed by Government until such time as there was a sufficient number of registered doctors to replace them.
11. This agreement has directed the policy of the Medical Department in this matter and at the end of the financial year 36 doctors out of a total medical staff of 127 belonged to this group of doctors incligible for registration in Hong Kong,
12. On 7th October, 1949 further discussions were held with the representatives of the two medical associations and in particular the Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association as a result of which 30 doctors offered their services, free, to carry on an evening clinic at Sai Ying Pun for the benefit of those members of the public who could afford a very small fee only. This clinic was opened on 3rd January, 1960 and still continues. Three doctors attend each evening from six to eight and a fee of $3 per visit is paid by the patients. The fees go towards the cost of paying for the additional staff and investigations provided by the Medical Department. An average of 40 patients each evening have attended this clinic.
13. The chart in annexure A shows the system of decentralisation in the Department. Maps showing the position of institutions in the Colony are shown in annexure B.
B. Boards.
14. The Medical Advisory Board to His Excellency the Governor. This Board consists of representatives of the three Services and the British and Chinese Medical Associations, with the Deputy Director of Medical Services as secretary.
It met regularly during the year and considered all matters of medical or health importance to the Colony as a whole. The community owes a debt of gratitude to the members of this Board who gave so much of their valuable time for this work.
15. Medical Board. The Medical Board, consisting of the senior Naval and Military doctors for the time being in the Colony, two registered medical practitioners and three other persons appointed by the Governor, is responsible for the control of admissions to the Medical Register and for dealing with matters of professional ethics among medical practitioners in the Colony.
16. Dental Board. In August 1949 the size of the Dental Board was increased by the addition of two dental surgeons appointed by the Governor and the Board now consists of the Government Dental Surgeon, two medical practitioners and four dental surgeons appointed by the Governor. It carries out the same responsibilities for the dental practitioners as does the Medical Board for the doctors.
17. Nurses Board. The constitution of the Nurses Board was altered in 1949 by an amendment to the Ordinance whereby the four members appointed by the Governor, two of whom had previously been doctors, should, in future, all be nurses registered in the Colony. The complete Board now consists of the Principal Matron, one member appointed by the University, and four members appointed by the Governor. lt is responsible for controlling admissions to the Nurses Register and for the qualifying examinations for nurses throughout the Colony.
18. Midwives Board. The Midwives Board consists of eight persons two of whom must be certified enrolled midwives appointed by the Governor. This Board is responsible for the Midwives register and for qualifying examinations and discipline among Midwives as is the Nurses Board for nurses.
19. The Director of Medical Services is ez-officio Chairman of these Boards.
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