nerve operation is also used as an accompaniment of resectional surgery. Thoracoplasty is losing popularity in favour of re- section so that, while the total number of major operations performed is not greatly changed, a larger number of patients have been dealt with by reason of the fact that resection is normally a one stage operation. Compared to the position twelve months ago the number of cases in hospital listed for and awaiting surgical treatment has increased sevenfold and the waiting time for operation has increased from less than one With the month to six months and is steadily increasing. success of the ambulatory treatment in the clinics, the waiting list for admission is now made up almost entirely of surgical
cases,
Ruttonjee Sanatorium.
fire
113. As previously stated, hospital treatment is available to clinic patients free of charge at Ruttonjee Sanatorium. Members of the general public and orthopaedic cases admitted through the Government Chest Clinics. The admis- sions for the year were as follows: —
Priority caseS
Orthopaedic cases
General public (pulmonary)
12A
263
531
114. Further details may be obtained from the report of the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association.
The Tuberculosis Almoner Service.
The Almoner's section, consisting of the Tuberculosis Almoner, Assistant Aimoners and the Tuberculosis Visitors is responsible for all social work in connexion with patients attending the clinics and in hospital; both have substantially increased during the year. This increased work has had to be undertaken despite staff shortages which prevailed during the greater part of the period. In order to offset the incresse in work at least in part, it has been agreed to appoint full time clerical staff to the almoner's department in future.
116. Every diagnosed case of tuberculosis or other chest disease in need of treatment is interviewed by the almoner at
山莊
the commencement of treatment and periodically thereafter as necessary, and also according to the agreed scheme, as further treatment is recommended. Details of social and economic background are recorded at first interview, as also are the home circumstances after the visit of the tuberculosis visitors, the record being amended from time to time as necessary, The total number of interviews with patients during the year was 28,840, an increase of 30% on last year's figure.
117. Hospital waiting lists are maintained, patients being divided into various categories, chest medical, chest surgical, and orthopaedic cases, admission being arranged according to the various priorities of the patients and according to the type of bed available. Details of work done in connexion with hospital treatment were as follows:
Admilled to hospital { Government Hospitala
Ruttonjee Sanatorium
Tranatera between hospitala
Awaiting admission as at 31.12.56 Referred to Chinese Charity Hospitals
498
631
304
232
TU
118. The number of patients awaiting admission at the end of the year is much lower than for any previous year, and is made up almost entirely of cases awaiting admission for surgical treatment. As almost one quarter of the cases at present occupying beds in hospital are also awaiting surgical treatment, further admission of such cases serves no useful purpose. The policy regarding admission has had therefore to be changed, and medical cases, who could be expected to respond satisfactorily to ambulatory treatment, are being admitted instead.
119. The Almoner has at her disposal a sum for the provision of assistance to tuberculosis sufferers and their families. This sum is used in several different ways.
120. Assistance in kind is provided in the form of milk powder to patients undergoing treatment at the clinics. The normal issue of one pound per week per patient was reintroduced at the beginning of the financial year, and has been available to all patients, despite the increases in the number of patients in the treatment scheme. Considerable savings have been possible during the year as in the first instance a number of patients of better social status did not wish to avail themselves of this free issue, and in the second place 5,785 C.A.R.E. parcels, each
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