XN000022-1978-03-29 — Page 26

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1978

DR. FANG OUTLINES AREAS FOR MORE EXPENDITURE

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DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG SAID TODAY THAT A DECREASING PROPORTION OF PUBLIC FUNDS IS BEING SPENT ON MEDICAL SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS AND HAS PINPOINTED AREAS WHERE THERE IS NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT.

HE POINTED OUT AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUDGET DEBATE THAT THERE IS LIKELY TO BE UNDERSPENDING OF SOME $46 MILLION ON MEDICAL SERVICES THIS YEAR, AND ALTHOUGH THE EXPENDITURE FOR NEXT YEAR IS ESTIMATED AT $891 MILLION, IT IS ONLY 8.7 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

IN 1971-72 AND THE FOUR YEARS 1974-78, THE PROPORTION WAS 11.3, 9.4, 9.3, 9.8 AND 9.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. + IN OTHER WORDS, A DECREASING SLICE OF THE CAKE IS GOING TOWARDS A VERY BASIC AND ESSENTIAL SERVICE, HE SAID.

HE ASKED WHETHER THE RATE OF EXPANDING HOSPITAL BEDS COULD BE ACCELERATED, FOR ALTHOUGH THE PLANNING TARGET WAS 5.5 BEDS PER THOUSAND POPULATION, WE WILL ONLY ACHIEVE 4.3 BEDS BY 1978-79 AND 4.62 BEDS BY THE END OF 1982.

DR. FANG NOTED THAT WE ARE PARTICULARLY SHORT OF OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH MORE OF THEM AS PART OF ITS MEDICAL REGIONALISATION PLANS.

HE SUPPORTED THE OPENING OF CLINICS ON SUNDAYS AND IN THE EVENINGS, BUT CONSIDERED THIS NOT A SATISFACTORY LONG TERM SOLUTION,

+AS IT HAS ALREADY BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED IN THIS COUNCIL THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT ONE OF STAFF SHORTAGE BUT PHYSICAL LIMITATION, WE SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR PRESENT SURPLUS POSITION TO CORRECT THIS DEFICIENCY, HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE AREA OF WORKERS' HEALTH, DR. FANG SAID THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE INDUSTRIAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS BEING SERIOUSLY UNDERMINED BY ITS PREOCCUPATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION LEGISLATION.

AS HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE REPORT SUBMITTED LAST JUNE BY AN OVERSEAS ADVISOR APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE ENTIRE SERVICE, HE URGED THAT A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BE MADE SOON ON THE STEPS THAT WILL BE TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT ITS RECOMMENDATION.

HE PRESSED THE GOVERNMENT AGAIN FOR EARLY INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION ON PROFESSIONS SUPPLEMENTARY TO MEDICINE. HE EXPLAINED THAT WITHOUT MINIMUM STIPULATED STANDARDS THERE WOULD BE NO INCENTIVE FOR ANYONE TO ENGAGE IN FORMAL TRAINING, WHILE THE NEED FOR TRAINED PERSONNEL IS ESSENTIAL FOR IMPLEMENTING THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION AND THE GREEN PAPER ON THE ELDERLY.

/+THIS LEGISLATION