Rub-enclosure to Enel. 1.348
37201
JJGT 19
Government Civil Hospital,
Hongkong, 26th February, 1898.
Sir, I have the honour to suggest to the Government the advisability of its securing the residence known as "Cragieburn" as an annexe to the Government Civil Hospital.
As the result of over ten years' experience in the Medical Department of this colony, I am convinced of the great benefit derived, especially with convalescents, more particularly during the hot season, by a short stay at the Peak.
Undoubtedly an institution of this sort, at the higher levels, under the administration of the Medical Department, would prove a great boon not only to the Government officials temporarily incapacitated by illness, but also to the members of the community who avail themselves of the opportunities afforded at present at the Government Civil Hospital.
It is not necessary for me to dilate upon the advantages to be derived, especially by the sick, from a change to the climate of the Peak; this is known to all who have resided for any length of time in the colony.
Another most important advantage would accrue to the colony by this procedure, viz., the fact that the nursing and medical staff of the Hospital would be able to recuperate in health when living and working at such an institution. Enclosed is a list showing the sickness amongst the members of the nursing and medical staff during the years 1892 to 1895. From this it is evident how trying hospital work is on the lower levels.
A transference of their sphere of action to the Peak, whilst benefiting those who are nursed by the sisters, would undoubtedly result in increasing their efficiency by a better maintenance of health.
This applies similarly to the medical staff of the Department.
There is at present a private hospital at the Peak, but its sphere of usefulness is necessarily limited, and as in the main it is a commercial undertaking, the benefits to be derived from an annexe such as this to the Medical Department of the colony must be evident to all who seriously consider the matter.
I would point out that if the suggestion I have made is approved of, it will not in my opinion be necessary to proceed with the new Women's Hospital. In this way, the original idea of the promoters of a Women's Hospital will be more literally carried out. With a few alterations, "Cragieburn" could be made available for women and children in addition to being an annexe to the Government Civil Hospital. Another important advantage would accrue in the fact that the present hospital premises will not be further crowded upon.
I request that the whole question be referred to the Jubilee Committee.
With regard to the financial aspect of the question, I am given to understand that it may be possible to purchase "Cragieburn" alone; by that I mean the building without the whole of the grounds.
I understand that there is the fear that Chinese patients may object to being treated in a hospital at the Peak. This prejudice, in my opinion, would soon disappear, and it must be remembered that it is principally for European women and children that greater accommodation is required.
I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
J. M. ATKINSON. Principal Civil Medical Officer.
Rub-enclosure to Enel. 1.348
37201
JJGT 19
Government Civil Hospital,
Hongkong, 26th February, 1898.
Sir, I have the honour to suggest to the Government the advisability of its securing the residence known as "Cragieburn" as an annexe to the Government Civil Hospital.
As the result of over ten years' experience. in the Medical Department of this colony, I am convinced of the great benefit derived, especially with convalescents, more particularly during) the hot season, by a short stay at the Peak.
Undoubtedly an institution of this sort, at the higher levels, under the administration of the Medical Department, would prove a great boot not only to the Government officials temporarily incapacitatel by illness, but also to the members of the community who avail them. solves of the opportunities afforded at present at the Government Civil Hospital.
It is not necessary for me to dilato upon the advantages to be derived, especially by the sick, from u change to the climate of the Peak; this. is known to all who have resided for any length of time in the colony.
Another most important advantage would accrue to the colony by this procedure, riz., the fact that the nursing and medical staff of the Hospital would be able to recuperate in health when living and working at such an institution. Euclosed is a list showing the sickness amongst the members of the nursing and medical staff during the years 1892 to 1895. From this it is evident how trying hospital work is on the lower levels.
A transference of their sphere of action to. the Peak, whilst benefiting those who are uursed! by the sisters, would nudoubtedly rasist in in- creasing their efficiency by a better maintenance of health.
This applies similarly to the medical staff of the Department.
There is at present a private hospital at the: Peak, but its sphere of usefulness is necessarily limited, and as in the main it is a commercial: undertaking the bouefits to be derived from an annexe such as this to the Medical Department of the colony must be evident to all who seriously consider the matter.
1 would point out that if the suggestion I have made is approved of it will not in my opinion be necessary to proceed with the new Women's Hospital. In this way the original idea of the promoters of a Women's Hospital will be. more literally carried out. With a few altera- tious Cragieburn" could be made available for women and children in addition to being an annexe to the Government Civil Hospital. · Another important advantage would accrue in the fact that the present hospital premises will not be further crowded upou
I request that the whole question be roferred: to the Jubilee Committee.
With regard to the financial aspect of the: question, I am given to understand that it may he possible to purchase "Cragieburn" alone; by that I mean the building without the whole of the grounds,
I understand that there is the fear that Chinese patients may object to being treated in a hospital at the Poak. Tids prejudice in my opinion would soon disappear, sud it must be remembered that it is principally for Earopean women and children that greater accommodation is required. I have the honour to ba sir, your · obedient servant,
J. M. ATKINSON. Principal Civil Medical Officer.
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