No_4_1955 — Page 7

CASTLE PEAK MENTAL HOSPITAL.

drawn

Lou

(H.RO).

Architect's perspective drawing of one of the hospital buildings with typical floor plan below. The used for a new Mental Hospital has realisation of this humanitarian project. long been apparent to the Authorities in

In the planning stages, the concept if

Kong University Education Society given on 3rd January, 1955:

Hong Kong. Three factors have been de- the new project embraced not only the "The absence of the psychiatrist and laying progress in the construction of the Mental Hospital itself, but buildings and psychological clinic with its team of work- new institution: first, so many other pro- grounds which would enable, occupational ers means that there is no continuously jects required prior financial consideration: therapy and other psychiatric treatment working laboratory attempting to diagnose second. the difficulty of assigning the to be included in the new institution. The and to classify the basic factors in mental Decessary architectural staff for such an importance of, and the difficulties in con- health, or to suggest lines of cure important and long term project; and nection with this aspect of

treatment third, the question of a suitable site. may be better appreciated from the fol- These three factors have now been resolv- jowing abstract of Professor K. E. Priest- ed and plans are in progress towards the ley's presidential address to the Hong

Į

T

D

DUTY ROOM

DAY

ROOM

THES &

KITCHEN

LAVATORIES A

ENTRANCE

W

T

a dalj

what is wrong.

for

"Indeed, the very difficulty of bringing into existence the psychiatric

and psy- chological services is sufficient to appal any but the most enlightened and stout- hearted authorities. For such services cannot be created simply by importing psychiatrists and psychologists who are skilled in Western techniques, even if they could be found, Western practition- ers have a great deal to learn, and not only in the field of language, before they can begin to operate a service comparable in efficiency with that which obtains in the West. Thorough knowledge of the social and cultural structure is not to be acquired by casual contact, the last fifty years of scientific history in Western coun- tries cannot be imported overnight into Hong Kong even if this were desirable. In order to create any psychiatric and psy- chological services that will stand chance of becoming adequate in future years. the whole base of the edifice has to be constructed."

Fortunately, in Hong Kong the basic programme has already been started and it is only because of the restrictions im- posed by the small size and antiquated design of the existing Mental Hospital that no further progress can be made modernize and improve the foundations already laid,

to

5