WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1974.
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THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES SAID HE WOULD WISH TO AWAIT COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED BODIES BEFORE MAKING ANY STATEMENT ON THE REPORT. HE MADE IT CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT HE FULLY SHARED THE IDEALS ON WHICH MISS LAMB'S REPORT WAS BASED AND WAS SURE THAT THESE WERE SHARED ALSO BY THE NURSING BOARD AND ALL WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH THE PROGRESSIVE AND ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROFESSION IN HONG KONG.
IN A NUMBER OF INSTANCES THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT CONFIRM LINES OF ACTION ALREADY IN HAND - THESE INCLUDE PROPOSALS FOR STRENGTHENING NURSING ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS PLANS TO TRAIN TUTORS AND CLINICAL INSTRUCTORS IN HONG KONG AS SOON AS THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE ESTABLISHED. PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND TO IMPROVE IN-SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAINING COURSES DESIGNED TO FOSTER BETTER RELATIONS AND UNDERSTANDING WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY INTRODUCED. IN THE PROMOTION OF NURSING STAFF THE SYSTEM WHICH APPLIES GENERALLY TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS APPLIED UNDER WHICH OFFICERS ARE CONSIDERED IN THEIR ORDER OF SENIORITY BUT WHICH ENSURES ALSO THAT SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTION IS BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND MERIT.
REDUCTION OF THE STUDENT/TUTOR RATIO AS PROPOSED BY MISS LAMB WOULD TAKE TIME. THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER INCLUDES PROPOSALS TO ESTABLISH AN ADDITIONAL NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL. UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETED AND MORE TUTORS HAVE BEEN TRAINED, THE STUDENT/ TUTOR RATIO CAN ONLY BE REDUCED SLOWLY,
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING CAREFUL CONSIDERATION INCLUDE THOSE CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE USE OF ENGLISH AND INTRODUCING A MODICUM OF FLEXIBILITY INTO THE ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS.
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