(f) Attempted suicides.
This year those patients who attempted suicide due to some real or imaginary illness have been advised by the almoner and helped when- ever possible to overcome their difficulties.
(g) Injured patients.
Patients injured as a result of an accident at work or on the road have been given advice and help and compensation obtained wherever possible. A close liaison is maintained with the Traffic Office and the Labour Office.
(4) Extra Food.
Where the doctors recommend extra nourishment for patients, they are given powdered milk weekly or extra money with which to buy food.
Help has also been given in a variety of other ways applicable to the casea concerned. With the co-operation of Government depart- ments and voluntary welfare agencies much has been done to help patients on their discharge from hospital.
4. Tuberculosis Work.
A detailed report of this work will be found in the Tuberculosia Officer's report as the almoners' work is very closely linked with his. I would however, like to point out that this year the plans for the children's home which were being discussed last year have come to fruition. With the help of the Minnonite Mission we now have a home for children în contact with tuberculosis; at present the home can take 20 children. We hope that we may be able to expand this scheme as one Home is not sufficient for future needs.
(a) Rehousing.
In last year's report I mentioned that the Crown Lands & Survey Office had granted this department land on a yearly lease for patients who can build their own huts. We have been granted a sum of money from Government funds in order to help patients with the cost of these huts. The land is now being terraced with the help of the Prison Department and next year should see patients living on this land.
5. Mental Hospital
This year we have been able to send a full time almoner student, who has had previous training in psychiatric work as well as a year's train- ing in this department to the Mental Hospital. Since she has been there many more patients have been followed-up and helped. The diversional therapy given by the Red Cross has been of great benefit to the patients.
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6. Recreation.
(a) Occupational Therapy.
A small committee was formed last year to deal with occupa- tional therapy fund made up of voluntary grants. This year we have been able to obtain the co-operation of the Hong Kong Branch of the British Red Cross Society who have supplied us with voluntary instructors in diversional therapy. Many more patients are now undertaking this recreational activity especially at the Mental Hospital and Lai Chi Kok Hospital.
(b) Teaching trades as a form of rehabilitation.
There is now not only a rattan instructor at the Mental Hospital but we have been able to employ one at the Lai Chi Kok Hospital where patients who stay for a long term are able to learn a new trade.
(c) Library.
A library is being continued at Lai Chi Kok Hospital and at the Mental Hospital but we are still very short of Chinese books.
7. Samaritan Fund.
This year grants and loans have been given from this fund. Patients have been helped in the following ways:
(6) Temporary financial help has been given to families where the bread winner of the family was unable to work on account of sickness.
(b) Extra nourishment has been provided for patients who cannot
afford adequate diet themselves.
(c) Clothing or bedding has been supplied to needy patients and
their families.
(4) Travelling expenses have been paid for patients going back to
their village or home, after discharge from hospital.
(e) Maintenance fees have been paid for children in creches while their mothers were in hospital and when there was nobody at home who to look after them.
(f) Hawkers' licences have been paid for and some small capital
provided if necessary,
(g) Telegram, buying stamps and stationery for patients.
(A) Magazines and books for long term patients supplied.
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