Introduction.
1. GENERAL
1. During the year under review all sections of the Department worked at high pressure. Attendances at hospitala and clinics showed no slackening and accommodation, which was sufficient to meet the pre-war requirements of the Colony, was subject to such pressure, in view of the considerable increase in the population since the war, that conditions were unsatisfactory and staff worked under the most adverse circum- stances. Night sessions at certain out-patient clinics continued to operate in an endeavour to keep up with the demands placed upon these institutions, but even this expedient did not prove to be sufficient and there were instances when clinics were, in any particular day, unable to deal with the numbers attending.
2. The pressure on hospital accommodation was equally severe and there was no material increase in the number of beds available. The two main Government hospitals were, in fact, institutions for acute cases and there were substantial waiting lists for admission. Nevertheless excellent work was carried out and high-standards were maintained.
3. Tuberculosis continued to be the Department's major problem and as much attention as was possible was paid to anti-tuberculosis measures. Although much was achieved one cannot feel confident that the general problem was affected to any great extent in view of the extremely overcrowded condi- tions under which so large a proportion of the Colony's population lives.
4. Visita were paid to the Colony by Professor F. R. C. Heaf, Tuberculosis Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Colonies and Miss F. N. Udell, Chief Nursing Officer, Colonial Office.
5. A new Casualty Department was opened at the Kowloon Hospital in April, 1952. This will improve the faci- lities for the treatment of accident cases on the mainland.
1
Page