XN000022-1977-10-12 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1977

MEDICAL TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES

A COMPLETE NETWORK OF MEDICAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED WITH A FULLY-EQUIPPED CENTRE AT EACH OF THE REGIONAL HOSPITALS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, THE CENTRES WILL BE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE IN-PATIENT REHABILITATION AND OUT-PATIENT SERVICES. TO ACHIEVE THIS, THREE ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION CENTRES WILL HAVE TO BE ESTABLISHED - THE FIRST IN WEST KOWLOON IN 1981/82, THE SECOND IN SHA TIN IN 1982/83 AND THE THIRD IN TUEN MUN IN 1985/86.

ADDITIONAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS MAY HAVE TO BE BUILT AND IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BEDS PLANNED FOR EAST KOWLOON AND SHAU KEI WAN HOSPITALS. IT MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO HAVE SMALL UNITS OF 60 TO 200 PSYCHIATRIC BEDS INCORPORATED IN MAJOR GENERAL HOSPITALS WHICH ARE BEING PLANNED.

AN ORTHOPTIC UNIT WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH TREATMENT FOR DEFECTIVE EYE-MOVEMENTS.

THE SERVICES FOR OTHER CATEGORIES OF DISABILITIES CAUSED BY CANCER, HEART, CHEST AND OTHER CONDITIONS WILL BE EXPANDED AND IMPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THE RUNNING OF THESE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES WILL REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION IN THE TRAINING OF STAFF INCLUDING DOCTORS, NURSES, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH THERAPISTS, PROSTHETISTS, ORTHOTISTS, AND MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS. NEW COURSES WILL BE ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MAKING FULL USE OF ALL LOCAL TRAINING FACILITIES INCLUDING THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC IN ORDER TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A FAST EXPANDING REHABILITATION PROGRAMME,

SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

THE DISABLED WILL BE ASSISTED IN FIND ING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT SO THAT THEY CAN LEAD A USEFUL WORKING LIFE. TO WORK TOWARDS THIS AIM, THE GOVERNMENT WILL EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO ENABLE AS MANY DISABLED PERSONS AS POSSIBLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAK INGS.

TO HELP THE DISABLED TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION, DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS TRANSIT CENTRES HOSTELS FOR THE YOUNG DISABLED AND RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT GROUPS OF DISABLED PERSONS.

THE DISABLED WILL BE HELPED TO ENJOY THEIR LEISURE TIME AND SPECIAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED TO HELP THEM OVERCOME ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS THEY FACE AT HOME, IN SCHOOL, AT WORK OR IN PUBLIC PLACES.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING SERVICES TO THE DISABLED

INCLUDING GUIDANCE AND REFERRAL TO APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR ORGANISATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE IN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, MEDICAL CARE, SCHOOL PLACEMENT, INSTITUTIONAL CARE, TRAINING AND HOME HELP.

/FINANCE