XN000022-1985-05-23 — Page 8

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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1985

AMBULANCE SERVICE REVIEW

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COMMENTING ON A REPORT IN THE HONG KONG STANDARD TODAY (MAY 23) WHICH STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS FINALLY BOWED TO WIDESPREAD PUBLIC CRITICISM ABOUT THE EFFICIENCY OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SERVICES WILL BE MADE SOON,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN FACT THE REVIEW HAD BEGUN IN 1984 AND THE STEERING GROUP HAD ALREADY MET FIVE TIMES.

NEITHER WAS THE REVIEW CONDUCTED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RECENT FATAL ACCIDENT IN A FITNESS CLUB NOR AS A RESULT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, AS WAS IMPLIED BY THE REPORT.

+IN 1984 THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WAS A MERE 11 OUT OF SOMETHING LIKE 300 000 CALLS FOR SERVICE. THE AMBULANCE SERVICE IN HONG KONG IS A VERY GOOD SERVICE WHICH NOT ONLY COMPARES WELL WITH THE UK BUT IS MARKEDLY BETTER IN TERMS OF ITS SERVICES, ITS EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES THAN MOST OF ITS COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID THE REVIEW OF AMBULANCE SERVICES WAS A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF OPERATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS. IT IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BECAUSE THE DEMANDS FOR THE SERVICES ARE CHANGING IN LINE WITH THE HEALTH CARE ASPIRATIONS OF THE POPULATION.

+THE DECISION OF THE STEERING GROUP TO RECOMMEND CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE ON OPERATIONAL ASPECTS IS BECAUSE OF THE SPECIALISED NATURE OF AMBULANCE SERVICES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF TOP CLASS CONSULTANTS IN THIS FIELD.

+ IT IS SEVERAL YEARS SINCE THERE WAS A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, BUT LIKE ALL OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC, VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AT REGULAR INTERVALS. THE OPPORTUNITY IS BEING TAKEN NOW TO REVIEW ALL ASPECTS OF THE SERVICE FROM THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE UNDER WHICH IT OPERATES TO THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE STEERING GROUP FOR THE REVIEW COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH IS THE MAJOR DEPARTMENT INVOLVED, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH USES THE SERVICES AND THE TWO POLICY BRANCHES, SECURITY AND HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE CHAIRMAN IS MR JACK DUNCAN OF THE FINANCE BRANCH.

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