XN000022-1976-03-12 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

MILITARY HOSPITAL FOR CIVILIAN USE

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR CIVILIAN USE FROM NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 15..

THIS FOLLOWS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH MILITARY AUTHORITY ON A SCHEME UNDER WHICH GOVERNMENT DOCTORS COULD REFER PATIENTS TO THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE MILITARY AUTHORITY IS TO SET ASIDE 62 BEDS FOR PATIENTS REFERRED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT: THE COST TO THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ELEVEN POUNDS STERLING PER BED PER DAY. THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO COST THE GOVERNMENT SOME HK$2 MILLION A YEAR ON THE BASIS OF 75 PER CENT OCCUPANCY OF THE 62 BEDS.

THE BEDS BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CUTS IN THE GARRISON. THE AGREEMENT ENABLES THE 200-BED BMH TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FULL FACILITIES FOR WHICH IT WAS -DESIGNED AT AN ECONOMICAL COST, AT THE SAME TIME MAKING A VALUABLE

CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG'S HEALTH SERVICE.

NO SPECIFIC BEDS ARE TO BE ALLOTTED FOR CIVILIAN PATIENTS, WHO WILL BE FITTED INTO WARDS ACCORDING TO MEDICAL NEEDS: ALL PAITENTS IN THE HOSPITAL WILL BE TREATED BY SERVICE MEDICAL OFFICERS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF WARDS IN THE BHH, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO USE THE 62 BEDS AS 1ST AND 2ND CLASS BEDS.

AS PART OF THE DEAL, THE HOSPITAL'S LABORATORY ACCOMMODATION WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE EXISTING CLINICAL PATHOLOGY UNIT AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IS CRAMPED AND EXTRA SPACE IS NEEDED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF EXAMINATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE UNIT.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES PLANS TO USE THE ACCOMMODATION AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL TO ESTABLISH A BIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT BY TRANSFERRING PART OF THE EQUIPMENT AND STAFF OF THE BIOCHEMISTRY UNIT AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.

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