XN000022-1987-03-26 — Page 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1987

MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE EXISTING 385-BED NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL AT BONHAM ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND WAS IN NEED OF MAJOR RENOVATION DUE TO ITS DILAPIDATED PHYSICAL CONDITION AND THE OBSOLESCENCE OF THE BUILDING.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE NEW NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL WITH ABOUT 600 BEDS BE BUILT INSTEAD IN TAI PO. IT WOULD BE AN ACUTE GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH A 24-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE, A SPECIALIST CLINIC, A SMALL GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND DAY HOSPITAL PLACES.

MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL WOULD OBVIATE THE NEED TO INJECT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC FUNDS INTO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING HOSPITAL.

THE PROJECT WOULD ALSO HELP TO RELIEVE THE SHORTFALL OF HOSPITAL BEDS IN THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES, PARTICULARLY IN TAI PO DISTRICT.

SITE FORMATION OF THE NEW HOSPITAL COULD START IN EARLY 1989 AND CONSTRUCTION WORKS COMPLETED IN 1992-93.

THE MEETING ALSO ENDORSED PLANS FOR A 1 200-BED NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL TO BE BUILT IN FANLING.

SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1996-97, IT IS TO HAVE 600 ACUTE GENERAL BEDS. 400 BEDS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND 200 FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AND A SPECIAL IST CLINIC.

ANOTHER TOPIC DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING WAS HOSPICE CARE IN LOCAL HOSPITALS,

UNLIKE CONVENTIONAL CARE, THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE HOSPICE CONCEPT IS TO MAINTAIN DYING PATIENTS AT HOME FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE AND TO HARNESS DEDICATED VOLUNTEER SERVICE OF FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, PRIESTS AND THE COMMUNITY. IT IS AIMED AT PROVIDING EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL BEYOND THE HOSPITAL DOORS.

MEMBERS OF THE MEETING CONSIDERED THAT THERE COULD BE IMPROVEMENT TO TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS IN LOCAL PUBLIC HOSPITALS.

MEMBERS AGREED THAT HOSPICE CARE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF OVERALL MEDICAL PRIORITIES. IT WAS AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION TO SETTING UP A CO-ORDINATING CENTRE AT THE VARIOUS REGIONAL HOSPITALS TO LIAISE WITH VOLUNTARY OR PASTORAL SERVICES FOR FAMILY AND PATIENTS WHO REQUIRED SUCH CARE.

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