- 45
Wednesday, April 7, 1976
"There is no difficulty in replacing them by promoting others with
similar qualifications," he added.
Dr. Choa said he did not accept that lack of opportunity for
training and research inhibits a medical career in the public service".
He stressed that opportunities existed for government medical officers who
had the required aptitude and capacity to undertake post-graduate training
with a view to specialisation.
He said the complaint that training facilities and prospects for
promotion in goverment medical service were lacking was usually an excuse
and not a reason for leaving.
He pointed out that in the commissioning of Princess Margaret
Hospital alone, 31 posts on the senior medical officer and consultent
level were filled by promotion.
"I would not like to think that either work or pay would deter anyone
who is set on making a career in government medical service," he said.
Taking all factors into account, Dr. Choe said that the engagement
of private doctors on e part-time basis, especially of specialists, would
not contribute significantly to a solution of the department's staffing
problem.
The Director also commented on the suggestion that in order to
relieve pressure upon hospital space, the community nursing service should
be developed.
He said: "The idea per se is of course commendable but I must point
out that our policy is largely influenced by two important factors which
will continue to prevail for this decade: firstly, to relieve the overcrowding
of our hopsitals which reflects that there are still many disease conditions
to be treated in hospital and not at home, and secondly, to provide
complementary hospital services parallel with the development of ner toms."
/Also