XN000022-1985-02-26 — Page 3

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1985

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE MEASURES EMPLOYED IN SO FAR AS RESOURCES PERMIT TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS ARE 1

(A) TO REDISTRIBUTE BEDS AMONG DISCIPLINES,

(B)

SO AS TO BETTER UTILISE THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THOSE DISCIPLINES WHERE SERVICES ARE UNDER HEAVY DEMANDI

TO EMPLOY ADDITIONAL STAFF, SUCH AS PLASTER ARTISANS, OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES SUCH AS OBSERVATION BEDS AND FOLLOW-UP CLINICS AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT,

(C) TO IMPRESS THE PROBLEM UPON CLINICIANS TO

IMPOSE TIGHTER SUPERVISION AND PROVIDE MORE GUIDANCE FOR JUNIOR STAFF IN THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT;

(D)

TO PERFORM MORE MINOR OPERATIONS AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND OUT-PATIENT CLINICS; AND

(E) TO REDESIGNATE MORE NON-REGIONALISED BEDS IN SUBVENTED DISTRICT HOSPITALS TO THE REGIONALISED SYSTEM THROUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENTS.

THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FELT THAT IT WAS TOO SOON TO PREDICT WHETHER THE OBJECTIVES OF THESE MEASURES COULD BE MATCHED WITH RESULTS, AND THAT THE FULL IMPACT COULD ONLY BE SEEN AFTER ALL THE MEASURES HAVE BEEN PUT INTO EFFECT FOR

SOME TIME.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ALSO DECIDED THAT THIS REPORT ON OVERCROWDING BE MADE AVAILABLE TO W.D. SCOTT AND CO. PTY. LTD., THE CONSULTANT FIRM RECENTLY APPOINTED BY GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT A REVIEW OF THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS.

THE CONSULTANT FIRM IS ALSO REQUIRED TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM OF CROWDING IN HOSPITALS, INCLUDING ANY LONG-TERM MEASURES WHICH MAY COMPLEMENT THE PRESENT EXERCISE.

THE MDAC WAS FIRST SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1973. ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:

(A)

TO KEEP UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW THE STATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND

/(B) TO ADVISE