XN000022-1979-04-12 — Page 26

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1979

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AT THE SAME TIME CHARGES FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES AT BOTH GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS ARE TO BE STANDARDISED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN KEEPING WITH THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.

THIS WILL MEAN, IN EFFECT, THAT OUTPATIENT CHARGES AT GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS WILL BE BROUGHT UP AND THOSE AT GOVERNMENT- SUBVENTED INSTITUTIONS WILL BE INVITED TO SCALE DOWN TO ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL.

AT PRESENT, OUTPATIENT CHARGES RANGE FROM $1 AT GOVERNMENT CLINICS TO $5 PER VISIT AT CERTAIN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.

FREE SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED AT GOVERNMENT CHILD HEALTH CENTRES, MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE CLINICS TUBERCULOSIS AND CHEST CLINICS, SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS AND THE FLOATING CLINICS INCLUDING THE FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE.

ALSO, THE PRESENT CHARGE OF $1 PER VISIT FOR INJECTIONS AND DRESSINGS AT A GENERAL CLINIC, ATTENDANCES AT FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS AND ATTENDANCES AT METHADONE CENTRES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REVISED CHARGES HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND ENDORSED BY THE MEDICAL ADVISORY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED A REVIEW OF THESE CHARGES TO BE REASONABLE IN VIEW OF THE RISING COSTS AND THE LAPSE OF TIME SINCE THE PRESENT CHARGE WAS FIXED, HE ADDED.

METHADONE CENTRES TO REMAIN OPEN DURING EASTER HOLIDAYS ******

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT ALL METHADONE TREATMENT CENTRES WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE FOUR-DAY EASTER HOLIDAYS.

THE VIOLET PEEL DETOXIFICATION CENTRE WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 10 P.M. AND THE CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND CENTRE FROM 2 P.M. TO 8 P.M. DAILY.

ALL THE OTHER EVENING DETOXIFICATION CENTRES WILL BE OPERATING FROM 6 P.M. TO 10 P.M. WHILE THE HO MAN TIN DAY DETOXIFICATION CENTRE WILL BE OPEN ONLY IN THE MORNING FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

THE FOUR MAINTENANCE CENTRES WILL BE OPERATING AS USUAL FROM 7 A.M. TO 9.30 P.M.

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