Dr Jordan however the Port Health Officer was allowed to retain the privilege of private practice, which he already enjoyed.
On 23/90, the Govt in forwarding the report on the Tung Wah Hospital stated that the supervision of the Hospital could not be longer carried out by the present Medical Staff and requested the S/S to approve their Officer to do this work. He recommended Dr. Thompson's appt on a salary of $200 a month with private practice and allowances for three Chair Coolies.
This was approved by the Secretary of State.
Thus when Dr Ayres retires and is succeeded as Principal Medical Officer by Dr Atkinson, there will be already five Assistant Doctors in the Dept viz: Drs Towson, Jordan, Thompson, Clark and Bell having private practice. Drs Jordan and Thompson as rendering as much service as one Doctor whose time was fully at the disposal of the Govt, and therefore the personnel is of the size originally recommended by the Govt.
The expense of keeping two doctors with private practice is greater than that of one doctor entirely at the service of Govt: Drs Jordan and Thompson are paid $2451 a year each; whereas an Assistant Doctor without private practice is paid $3600, and $120 for Quarters.
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Now the Colonial Surgeon urges the necessity of the appt of another Assistant Surgeon, requests that such an Officer may be engaged at the usual salary of $3600 with Quarter allowances.
There has certainly been considerable chopping and changing in Hongkong as to the size of the Staff that will be required: and it would be a great thing if this Expense could be avoided.
Perhaps it might be sufficient increase to the staff if Dr Thompson whose appt is only for one year were offered the choice of resigning at the end of one year or of continuing in his present position but resigning his private practice and receiving the higher salary instead. If he refused, another officer might be appointed on those terms, and thus the staff would be reinforced to the extent of half an assistant.
It is disgraceful the way that this medical department has been muddled! This despatch
T.C.M. 1-5-97-