XN000022-1987-06-17 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1987

PRAISES FOR AMBULANCE STAFF

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID STAFF INVOLVED IN AMBULANCE SERVICES DESERVED THE HIGHEST PRAISE AS THE HIGH EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICE AND THE EXCELLENT WORKING ATTITUDE OF THE STAFF WERE WELL KNOWN TO ALL.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON AMBULANCE SERVICE, DR CHIU SAID IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE STUDY ON THE REVIEW OF HONG KONG AMBULANCE SERVICE COMMISSIONED BY THE HEALTH OPERATIONAL RESEARCH UNIT WAS INITIATED NOT BECAUSE OF ANY UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE STANDARD OR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY BUT WITH THE INTENTION TO ENSURE MAXIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND A HIGHER STANDARD OF SERVICE.

DR CHIU SAID A COMPLETE PROCESS OF EMERGENCY SERVICE

INCLUDED

SIX ASPECTS: THE RECEIPT OF EMERGENCY CALL, DISPATCHING OF HELF, ON-THE-SPOT CARE, TRANSPORTATION OF THE SICK, AND CARE ON ARRIVAL AT ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOR TREATMENT. AMBULANCE SERVICE WAS JUST A PART OF EMERGENCY SERVICE.

"IF IT IS OUR OBJECTIVE то REACH A HIGHER STANDARD OF EMERGENCY SERVICE, WHY DO WE NARROW OURSELVES TO AMBULANCE SERVICE ALONE AND LEAVE THE REST OF THE SERVICE A LOT OF ROOM FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT?" HE QUESTIONED.

IT

HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL CONSTRAINT, WAS QUITE DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANCY TO UNDERTAKE A REVIEW EXERCISE ON INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

"WHAT WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY DID WE LET GO OF OF GIVING OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE A CHECK-UP WHEN TIE TIME SAID.

THE CHANCE CAME, HE

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SAID THAT

ON THE ROLE OF DISPERSED MEDICAL CENTRES, DR CHIU THE SHORTENING OF THE TARGET TRAVEL TIME FOR AMBULANCE FROM 15 MINUTES TO 10 MINUTES IN URBAN AREAS INCLUDING NEW TOWNS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANTS WAS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE TIME BEING.

HOWEVER, HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT A SHORTENING OF THE TRAVEL TIME FOR EMERGENCY CALLS IN RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,

WHICH AT PRESENT WAS 30-35 MINUTES, HAD BEEN CONSIDERED UNREALISTIC.

LARGE

"THE TIME WASTED IN THE FIRST HALF AN HOUR CAN, TO A EXTENT, DIMINISH THE PATIENT'S CHANCE OF SURVIVAL ESPECIALLY IN MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCY CASES," HE SAID.

HE SUGGESTED THAT CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO NEARBY MEDICAL CENTRES RATHER THAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL. IT SHOULD BE PARTICULARLY SO IN RURAL AND SUB-URBAN AREAS.

HE SAID

A