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(iv) Other comments urgo a reduction in overcrowling at clinics by the adoption of different clinic hours (in the. evening and over holidays) and an appointments system.
4.
CHAPTER III Projects to achieve the standards set hospital beds
(i) This chapter proposes general hospitals in East Kowloon, Shatin and Tuen Mun and a mental hospital at Shaukiwan.
(ii) Comments made on this chapter are that the stress on very large hospitals is regretted; that at the next annual review consideration be given to the possibility of hospital facilities for children being developed to form a cohesive unit in each Govt. and Govt.-assisted hospital; and that specialist hospitals should be built for women and children.
Several representations urge the construction of a general or regional hospital on the eastern side of Hong Kong (some suggest that the site at Shaukiewn be used with the mental hospital being resited). A further suggestion
is that the Shaukiwan site be used partly for psychiatric patients and partly as a regional hospital. Another view strongly argued is that 100 beds in one large mental hospital would be a retrograde step, and that following the modern trend it would be preferable to provide beds in smaller psychiatric units on the Island. (700 for the mentally ill and 300 for the mentally subnormal are recommended).
Existing medical facilities in the outlying arcas are said to be inadequate to meet demands. A regional hospital is requested, in Sek Kong or Kam Tin, and general hospitals for Sai Kung (300 beds) and Lantao (300 beds). Pleas are also made on behalf of the outlying islands, Cheung Chau and Tsing Yi being mentioned.
One request has been made that the building priorities for the three mainland hospitals be reconsidered in favour of Tuen Mun. Full regional status from the outset is also requested and in the interim a casualty unit in- cluding an operating theatre as part of the first polyclinic in Tuen Mun.
5.
CHAPTER IV
Projects to achieve the standards set - Govt. clinics
(i) This chapter deals with the provision of Govt. clinics concluding additional ones are necessary although it does not specify the type and location of these. It identifies certain existing clinics which must be closed and also refers to the proposals to reappraise the design of
clinics.
(ii) The view is expressed that closures will be misunderstood. In another comment a suggestion is made that the policy concerning low cost clinics, charity clinics and the qualifications of doctors in the former should now be reviewed.
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