XN000022-1993-11-03 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993

PRIORITY DISCS FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS UNDER REGULAR REVIEW

ELDERLY

THE NUMBERS OF PRIORITY DISCS SET ASIDE DAILY FOR PATIENTS AT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS ARE REVIEWED REGULARLY ARE ADJUSTED AS NECESSARY TO MEET SERVICE NEEDS.

AND

MRS

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MRS WONG SAID THE NUMBERS WERE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF SERVICES, HAVING REGARD TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

IN

"THESE INCLUDE THE SIZE AND AGE PROFILE OF THE POPULATION THE CATCHMENT AREA; THE DEMAND FOR AND UTILISATION PATTERN OF CLINIC SERVICES BY DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS; THE CAPACITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CLINIC CONCERNED; AND THE AVAILABILITY OF CLINIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE VICINITY," SHE SAID.

AS REGARDS ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES WHO REQUIRED REGULAR FOLLOW-UP AT CLINICS, THEY WERE GIVEN ADVANCED APPOINTMENTS.

THEY DO NOT REQUIRE A DISC FOR ATTENDANCE AND THEIR NUMBERS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO QUOTA, SAID MRS WONG.

ACAN STUDIES WAYS TO HELP YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS

A

THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) IS CONSIDERING PROPOSAL TO SET UP A THREE-YEAR PILOT SCHEME FOR A TREATMENT CENTRE FOR YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE PROPOSAL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS.

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR ASPREY SAID MEASURES LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF INCREASED YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

A TOTAL OF 928 YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS AGED UNDER 21 WERE REPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT'S CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE IN THE SECOND

QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

THIS REPRESENTS A 68.4 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE NUMBER REPORTED IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.

"WE ARE NOT CLEAR AS TO THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASE, BUT THE NUMBER OF REPORTS ON YOUNG PEOPLE AGED UNDER 21 COME FROM A WIDE RANGE OF REPORTING AGENCIES, COVERING LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT AND WELFARE ORGANISATIONS.

THE

IT

WAS

BUT HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASE AND WITH THE HELP FROM ACAN'S RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE, TRYING TO DETERMINE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES.

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