XN000022-1989-07-26 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1989

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PRIOR TO THE TRIAL SCHEME, A TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN OPERATING DAILY ON WEEKDAYS FROM 6 AM TO 7.30 AM DURING WHICH ONE OF THE TWO NORTHBOUND LANES IS CONVERTED FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC SO THAT THREE LANES ARE AVAILABLE FOR VEHICLES GOING TO KOWLOON, LEAVING ONLY ONE LANE FOR VEHICLES TRAVELLING TO THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE TRIAL SCHEME AIMS AT DIVERTING SOME OF THE TRAFFIC TO TAI PO ROAD BY BANNING GOODS VEHICLES FROM THE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD SLIP ROAD FOR AN HOUR IN THE MORNING SO AS TO EXTEND THE TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT BY 10 MINUTES TO 7.40 AM,

THE TRIAL BEGAN ON JULY 10 AND WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO LAST UNTIL THE END OF THIS WEEK. HOWEVER. THE THREE-WEEK DURATION IS CONSIDERED TOO SHORT FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ΤΟ MAKE A FULL ASSESSMENT AS THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TAKES A LONGER TIME TO SETTLE.

WITH THE EXTENSION OF THIS TRIAL SCHEME, GOODS VEHICLES TRAVELLING TO THE NEW TERRTORIES VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 AM ON WEEKDAYS ARE ADVISED TO USE TAI PO ROAD INSTEAD OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ALTHOUGH THEY CAN STILL USE THE TUNNEL VIA ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS ARE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES TO BE REVISED ON AUGUST 1

FEES AND CHARGES AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1. THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID MEDICAL FEES ARE ANNUALLY REVISED IN THE LIGHT OF COST INFLATION. BUT PATIENTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY HEAVILY SUBSIDISED SERVICE.

FOR PATIENTS IN PUBLIC WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, THE DAILY CHARGE WILL BE INCREASED FRON THE EXISTING $26 ΤΟ $29. THE DAILY COST FOR AN OCCUPIED BED IN A REGIONAL HOSPITAL IS ESTIMATED BE $1.233 ON AVERAGE.

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THE DAILY CHARGE OF $29 WILL COVER FOOD. DRUGS. LABORATORY TESTS, SURGERY AND ALL MEDICAL TREATMENT.

REMISSION OF CHARGES, IN FULL OR IN PART, WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS WITH GENUINE HARDSHIP.

"FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARD PATIENTS AT GENERAL HOSPITALS, THE NEW MAINTENANCE FEES WILL BE $1,230 AND $820 RESPECTIVELY. THE EXISTING FEES ARE $1.060 AND $705.

/"FOR PRIVATE