XN000022-1984-07-25 — Page 16

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1984

PLANS TO RECRUIT MORE SPECIALISTS

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANS TO RECRUIT IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, 42 DOCTORS TO SERVE IN THE EYE AND ENT (EAR, NOSE AND THROAT) SERVICES OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON RUDY KHOO, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP.

WHEN THESE POSTS WERE FILLED, THE NUMBER OF DOCTORS IN THE TWO SERVICES WOULD BE RAISED TO 90, DR KHOO SAID.

HE REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FORMULATED MEDICAL SERVICE TARGETS FOR THE COMING YEARS, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OF EYE AND ENT SERVICES.

+THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF STAFF OF VARIOUS RANKS AND SPECIALTIES WILL BE RECRUITED AND TRAINED AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THESE PROGRAMMES,+ HE SAID.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME REQUIRED FOR APPOINTMENTS WITH A CONSULTANT IN THE EYE AND ENT SERVICES, DR KHOO SAID THAT PATIENTS WITH URGENT PROBLEMS ARE IMMEDIATELY ATTENDED TO AND, WHERE NECESSARY, OPERATED ON.

FOR NON-URGENT OR 'COLD' CASES, THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CONSULTATIONS IS THREE MONTHS, WHILE THE WAITING TIME FOR OPERATIONS RANGES FROM SIX TO NINE MONTHS FOR DISEASES OF THE EYE AND TWO TO 10 MONTHS FOR ENT CONDITIONS.

+1 MUST EMPHASISE THAT THE WAITING TIME FOR OPERATIONS ON 'COLD' CASES HAS NO ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF THE PATIENTS,+ DR KHOO SAID.

+ IT IS INHERENT IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM DISEASES OF THE EYE, ENT OR INDEED OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY, DO NOT NECESSARILY NEED TO RECEIVE TREATMENT ONLY FROM THE CONSULTANTS IN THE RESPECTIVE SPECIALTY, HE SAID.

FOR COMMON AILMENTS OF THE EYE AND ENT, HE SAID, GENERAL PRACTITIONERS ARE FULLY COMPETENT TO DEAL WITH SUCH PATIENTS.

+MORE COMPLEX CASES MAY REQUIRE THE ATTENTION OF DOCTORS WHO HAVE RECEIVED HIGHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE, BUT WHO MAY NOT NECESSARILY OCCUPY CONSULTANT POSTS.

+THUS THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, AND DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, IN ADDITION TO CONSULTANTS, EACH IN THE IR OWN SETTING, PROVIDE A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS COMPLEMENTARY TO EACH OTHER,+ HE SAID.