XN000022-1973-03-28 — Page 42

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Wednesday, March 28, 1973

OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AT FANLING HOSPITAL

Eight-Day Closure For Renovation Following Takeover

The out-patient department of the Fanling Hospital will close

for eight days for renovation after the Government takes the hospital

over from the Lutheran World Federation on April 1.

The renovations are necessary to bring this department into line

with the others maintained by the Medical and Health Department.

Dr. J.H. Webber, the present medical superintendent, and certain

other staff, will transfer to government employ, and remain at their posts.

The hospital will be fully operational in its new role as a

government institution on Monday, April 9, and it is hoped that it will

be able to deal with more than the current 100 out-patients a day.

When the Government's decision to take the hospital over was

announced in February, it was explained that this was at the request of

the Lutheran World Federation who thought the time had come for the

Government to assume responsibility for the hospital.

In

The hospital was opened in 1960 by the Federation, and built

with funds provided by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and the United States.

Until 1971, the recurrent costs were met by the Federation.

that year, a subvention was requested from the Government as the financial

contribution of the Federation to its services in Hong Kong had begun to

run down.

The Medical and Health Department will develop this 54-bed hospital

as a district hospital. The staff will be increased so as to maintain a

24-hour duty roster. Specialist clinics are also planned.

Release time: 9.00 p.m.