CO129-597-2 Estimates 1949 1-3-1948 - 14-7-1949 — Page 237

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The various increases in lighthouse staff provide for the possibility that the lighthouse at Gap Rock, which was operated by the Hong Kong Government before the war, may bo ro-ostablished during the year. This mattor is at present the subject of discussion with the Chinoso Government.

The increases in engineers, stokors, coxswains and scamon are only apparent as they reprosont personnel previousl paid from Tomporary Staff which is now included in the non-ponsionable cstablishment. The ongino room staff of tho fire floats are also now shown under the Marine Department Hoad as this department will be responsible for their training.

Head 19. Modical Department

Estimate 1948/19

Rovised Estimato

$15,765,281

1947/48

Approved Estimmte 1947/48

Actual Expenditure 1916/47

7,545,010 11,053,986 5,624,554

There have been very considerable changes in the titles of posts in the Medical Department as a result of the recommendations of the Salarios Commission. The Commission also recommended that promotion to the grade of Medical Officer should not be automatic on the occurrence of a vacancy but should depend on the possession by an Assistant Medical Officer of the requisito qualifications and experience for promotion. It has been necessary to anticipate the regrading of a number of Assistant Medical Officers during the year, and this has entailed an increase of 13 posts. The pensionable stablishment of Assistant Medical Officers has been correspondingly reduced. Five posts of Matron or Assistant Matron have boon incorporated in the Nursing Sister or Senior Nursing Sister grade. It is proposed to increase the number of dental surgeons to three posts in order to provide for a more efficient dental servico.

Whilst the acute shortage of qualified local nurses persists, and while probationer nurses are trained, it romains necessary to recruit qualified staff from the United Kingdom. An`additional 17 Nursing Sister posts, one Health Sister post and one Dictician have therefore been provided for under non-pensionable staff. As trained nursos become available locally, it is anticipated that these nursing sisters can be absorbed into vacancies in the pensionablo establishment.

Provision for staffing an ambulance service was mado last year in a Temporary Staff Vote. The necessity for continuing this service is recógnised and 20 ambulanco dressers, 32 additional ambulance attendants and 20 motor drivers have boon provided for. Staff for 10 Chinese Public Dispensarios was also provided for in a Temporary Staff Voto. These dispensarios word formerly financed by privato contributions but since the war have become the responsibility of the Government. It is considered that they should remain sɔ, and provision has been made accordingly for 10 Dispensary Supervisors and one Assistant Supervisor. The proposal to build a Tuberculosis Clinic during the coming year, in which will be installed a mass X-ray unit, has necessitated the provision of an additional radiologist, two Radiographors and one Radiographic Assistant, one Almonor and one Assistant Almoner.

In connection with the establishment of this now Tuberculosis Clinic, the funds for the construction of which arc provided for under Public Works Extraordinary, it has boon necessary to include under Sub Head 24 of Other Charges a sum of