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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1985
THERE WERE ALSO PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES FOR THOSE REQUIRING A LIMITED AMOUNT OF NURSING CARE, AND INFIRMARY PLACES FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED A GREATER DEGREE OF NURSING AND MEDICAL ATTENTION.
ON AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CHAMBERS SAID THIS SHOULD ENABLE THE CHANGING NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE TO BE MET IN A SINGLE LOCATION.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE PROPOSAL THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD PROVIDE AND OPERATE HOSTELS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHOSE PRIMARY NEED WAS FOR ADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION WAS BEING EXPLORED.
IF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WERE ABLE TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MEETING THIS PARTICULAR NEED, THE WELFARE AGENCIES WOULD BE ABLE TO REDNER OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS COUNSELLING, PERSONAL CARE AND SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT THESE MEASURES WOULD ENABLE THE ACCOMMODATION NEEDS OF HONG KONG'S EXPANDING POPULATION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE TO BE MET IN WAYS THAT WERE BEST SUITED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL'S CIRCUMSTANCES.
ON PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES IN THE ORGANISATION AND FINANCING OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, MR CHAMBERS SAID THESE WERE PARTICULARLY TIMELY SINCE, A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS HAD RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED TO REVIEW THE WHOLE QUESTION OF THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
HE SAID THAT BOTH PROPOSALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT
OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS BY AUTONOMOUS BOARDS OF GOVERNORS WITH BLOCK GRANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT, AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF FINANCING THROUGH A FORM OF MEDICAL INSURANCE, WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE CONSULTANTS.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT GENERAL OUTPATIENT CLINICS SHOULD IN FUTURE BE OPERATED BY THE COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT CERTAIN PROBLEMS WOULD ARISE IF PRIVATE DOCTORS WERE TO TAKE OVER COMPLETELY THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT OUTPATIENT CLINICS.
HE SAID THAT THE CURATIVE ROLE OF THESE CLINICS WAS ONLY ONE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS, AS THEIR ROLE IN THE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL OF LOCAL EPIDEMIC AND ENDEMIC DISEASES WAS AT LEAST AS
IMPORTANT.
/+THESE FUNCTIONS