XN000022-1989-02-27 — Page 2

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1989

MEASURES TAKEN TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS RAISED BY DOCTORS

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS RAISED BY DOCTORS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY OF PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL THIS AFTERNOON AND WAS ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE GRADED ACTION BY GOVERNMENT DOCTORS.

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SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS AND PROBLEMS OF ORGANISATION BUT THESE WOULD TAKE TIME TO RESOLVE.

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I WOULD HOPE THAT THE DOCTORS WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND DEDICATED PEOPLE WILL TAKE PARTICULAR CARE NOT ΤΟ DO THINGS WHICH COULD IN ANY WAY DAMAGE THE INTERESTS OF THEIR PATIENTS," HE SAID.

HE CITED THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS ONE OF THE WAYS OF DEALING WITH THAT PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING.

"WE ARE IN FACT BUILDING HOSPITALS SO THAT WE WILL HAVE 25 ANOTHER 5,000 BEDS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THAT IS AN INCREASE OF PER CENT.

"AND TO DEAL WITH THE ORGANISATIONAL PROBLEM, WE ARE SETTING UP THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THEN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.

"TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH THE DOCTORS HAVE RAISED, WE HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO INCREASE VERY SUBSTANTIALLY BY OVER 70 SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER POSTS AND OVER 30 CONSULTANT POSTS.

"AT THE SAME TIME ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE SECRETARIAL HELP FOR DOCTORS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

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"I HOPE DOCTORS AS PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE WILL HAVE A DEGREE OF PATIENCE AND THAT THEY WILL CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT I KNOW THEY ALL FEEL TOWARDS THEIR OWN PATIENTS," HE ADDED.

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