XN000022-1978-04-28 — Page 12

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FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1978

WORK ON PHASE 11 OF LAI CHI KOK MENTAL HOSPITAL TO BEGIN SOON

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THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WORK WILL START SOON ON PHASE TWO OF THE SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL AT LAI CHI KOK.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK WERE INVITED TODAY BY THE P.W.D.'S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

MR. KWAN SAI-CHUNG, CHIEF P.W.D. ARCHITECT, SAID THAT WORK WOULD BEGIN IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS TIME AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

HE SAID THAT THE CONTRACT WOULD COVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND OTHER SERVICES, A SINGLE-STOREY ADMINISTRATION BLOCK, A KITCHEN BLOCK, STAFF QUARTERS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL.

IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE FITTING-OUT OF TWO MULTI-STOREY WARD BLOCKS BUILT UNDER THE STAGE ONE CONTRACT. ONE OF THESE BLOCKS WILL BE USED AS WARD FOR MALE PATIENTS AND THE OTHER FOR FEMALE.

MR. KWAN SAID THAT THE NEW MENTAL HOSPITAL, DESIGNED BY THE P.W.D.'S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, WAS BEING BUILT ON PART OF A 11-HECTARE SITE ON WHICH THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL NOW STANDS.

ON COMPLETION, IT WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1,336 BEDS AND SHOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS EASING THE PRESSURE ON EXISTING FACILITIES AT CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.

THE NEW MENTAL HOSPITAL WILL CATER MAINLY FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS WHOSE CONDITION IS AMENABLE TO TREATMENT, AND FOR VOLUNTARY AND INFIRMARY PATIENTS.

MR, KWAN SAID THAT THE HOSPITAL WAS DESIGNED AS A MULTI- LEVEL PROJECT LEAVING AS MUCH SPACE AS POSSIBLE FOR RECREATIONAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSIOTHERAPY ACTIVITIES.

+GREATER PROVISION HAS TO BE MADE FOR THESE ACTIVITIES THAN IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF MENTAL PATIENTS, + HE SAID.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A ROOF GARDEN, A THEATRE FOR FILM SHOWS, CONCERTS OR INDOOR SPORTS, SHOP AND SOFT DRINKS BAR, HAIR DRESSING SALON, A LIBRARY, READING ROOMS, A FOOTBALL PITCH AND A BASKETBALL COURT.

MR. KWAN