XN000022-1987-06-17 — Page 11

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1987

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CALL TO STRENGTHEN AMBULANCE SERVICE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG KHONG

TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN HONG KONG.

то STRENGTHEN THE AMBULANCE

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER TO PROVIDE BETTER EQUIPPED AMBULANCES, A BETTER TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR AMBULANCE STAFF AND AN IMPROVED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BETWEEN AMBULANCE AND HOSPITAL.

PROF. POON WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON AMBULANCE SERVICE.

HE SAID HE HAD CONSULTED HIS MEDICAL COLLEAGUES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND HE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES IN AN AMBULANCE VAN WERE INADEQUATE AND 90 WAS THE TRAINING OF THE AMBULANCE CREW.

HE ALSO SAID HE FELT VERY STRONGLY THAT THE VAN SHOULD HAVE REASONABLY SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT AND A CREW WHO KNEW HOW TO USE IT.

THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE AMBULANCE CREW AND THE DOCTORS IN THE HOSPITAL, HE ADDED.

PROF. POON SAID AMBULANCE SHOULD

BE EQUIPPED ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) MACHINES AND DEFIBRILLATORS.

"IT SHOULD ALSO BE ALSO BE BETTER EQUIPPED IN THE TRANSFER OF NEW BORN BABIES IN ORDER TO REDUCE BREATHING DISORDERS OF THE BABIES.

WITH PORTABLE

CONNECTION WITH COLD INJURY AND

STABILISED

"THEREFORE, PORTABLE INCUBATORS, MONITORS AND VENTILATORS SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO ENSURE THAT THE VERY SICK BABY IS BEFORE AND DURING TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL, HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT ALL AMBULANCES SHOULD BE BECAUSE IT WAS VERY HOT IN SUMMER.

AIR-CONDITIONED,

DRAWN BETWEEN EXAMPLE, WHEN WOULD SERVE THE

PROF. POON SAID A DISTINCTION SHOULD BE CLEARLY EMERGENCY AND ROUTINE AMBULANCE SERVICE. FOR TRANSFERRING CONVALESCENT PATIENTS, AN ORDINARY VAN PURPOSE ADEQUATELY.

OF RESOURCES IN

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"A FULLY-EQUIPPED AMBULANCE WOULD BE A WASTE THIS SITUATION. THIS WILL MAXIMISE THE EFFECTIVE USE OF AMBULANCE,' HE SAID.

/TURNING TO