suspension has been installed and gymnasium equipment has been im- proved. Six curtained cubicles have been added, one with a basin and running water for treatments with the Kremeyer Lamp. Regular ortho- paedie, dermatology and industrial rehabilitation clinics are held and an Almoner visits the department weekly to interview patients in need of assistance.
447. The change in the balance of beds and the distribution of types of patient, at the Lai Chi Kok Hospital has resulted in an increased demand for physiotherapy. More orthopaedic beds, an increased number of acute poliomyelitis cases admitted to the infectious diseases section and more post-surgical convalescent cases have all added to the scope of the work. A small hut was built for the storage of equipment and to house the static bicycle.
448. In general it has become routine practice to give physiotherapy to all orthopaedic in-patients unless notified otherwise by the surgeon. While this has entailed much extra work it has eliminated much of the muscle wasting and joint stiffness encountered previously and has signi- ficantly accelerated the turnover of patients in the Queen Mary, Kowloon and Lai Chi Kok Hospitals.
449. Two Assistant Physiotherapists in training sat the departmental preliminary examination in January 1959. Both passed with credit and the co-operation of University staff in tuition, in dissection, in anatomy revision and in acting as external examiners is gratefully acknowledged. The students also took a course in physical training at the Northcote Training College and passed the same examination as the teachers in training. The curriculum of training is modelled, as far as local condi- tions permit, on that of physiotherapy schools in the United Kingdont and the aim is to establish in due course an approved centre in Hong Kong which will obtain recognition by the Chartered Society of Physio- therapists in Great Britain.
450. A Christmas Party was held in the Kowloon Hospital grounds for all children able to attend who are under treatment at the Wan Chai. Kowloon Hospital and Lai Chi Kok Hospital Physiotherapy Units. A large Christmas tree was lent by the King George V School and the Marine Police provided an entertainment. Toys were donated by the children of various Government schools and food was provided from a special grant made by the Department.
430
DOCUPATIONAL THERAPY
451. There are four Occupational Therapy units—at the Queen Mary Hospital, the Lai Chi Kok Hospital, the Victoria Mental Hospital and the Castle Peak Mental Hospital. The Senior Occupational Therapist is assisted by three Occupational Therapists, cight Handicraft Instruc- tors and three Clerk-interpreters. This represents an increase of two Handicraft Instructors and has resulted in an improvement in the con- tinuity of treatments and a considerable increase in the variety and the quality of the work produced.
452. An allocation of $30,000 for Maintenance and Operating Ex- penses was made to cover the cost of raw materials, miscellaneous stores, films for recreational therapy and incentive payments to patients in the Mental Hospital. Articles made by patients were sent from all units to the Welfare Handicrafts Shop in Kowloon, which accepted 15% of the total output, an increase of 5% on the previous year. From all articles sold revenue totalling $13,045 was received.
453. The Occupational Therapy Unit in the Queen Mary Hospital is the headquarters of the service and for the first time this unit worked on a whole-time basis with an Occupational Therapist in charge and two Handicraft Instructors. Although the Unit was mainly concerned with in-patients, certain discharged patients, on the recommendations of the Almoners, continued to attend for diversional therapy or pre-vocational training,
454. Some new rehabilitation equipment was put into use, such as the F.E.P.S. adaption for hands, a bicycle fretsaw adaption for extension of the leg and foot and a simplified overhead suspension. More specific splints for nerve injuries and other orthopaedic conditions were devised and put into use for both in-patients and out-patients. Adapted bed tables, bed mirrors for prone patients, a rug loom and various educa- tional toys used for rehabilitation were made in the Unit and used both in the department and in the wards. New materials purchased from the United Kingdom enabled the introduction of crafts not previously in use and an improvement in the weaving products: carpentry has also been started on a small scale. Diversional treatments given by the Handicraft Instructors have increased and 4% of in-patients are now receiving this form of therapy.
455. The Occupational Therapist from the Queen Mary Hospital now attends the weekly orthopaedic out-patient clinic at the Kowloon Hospital.
91