TNAG-1012-FCO40-1262-Address-by-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--at-t-1981 — Page 48

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87.

In special education the current provision of 28,860 places more

than doubles the 1977 figure of 12,160, but large shortfalls remain,

particularly in provision for the mentally handicapped, and slow learners.

This is compounded by a lack of teachers and lack of enthusiasm among

school sponsors for expanding special classes for slow learners in ordinary

schools. Nevertheless, over 3,000 additional special places are being

provided in 1981/82.

88.

Kwai Chung Hospital will provide an additional 1,340 beds for the

mentally ill, bringing the total provision to nearly 3,800. A further

1,670 beds for the mentally ill are planned for the pericd to 1990,

together with a further 500 beds for the severely mentally handicapped, when

the estimated shortfalls should be largely, though not wholly, eliminated.

89.

Significant improvements can be expected in medical rehabilitation

services when the new centre of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation

at Sandy Bay is completed in 1983..

:

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

90.

While our educational and social welfare facilities have not

been significantly stretched so far by the impact of immigrants, the Medical

and Health Department has. It is therefore timely that a number of major

projects have come on stream or are about to do so. The Kwai Chung

Hospital with 1,340 beds for the mentally ill received its first patients

last November. The Prince Philip Dental Hospital, one of the best equipped

in the world, was opened by H.R.H. Prince Philip in March this year. The

Kwong Wah Hospital New Wing is being commissioned now.

Improvements to

Fanling Hospital and Pok Oi Hospital Extension Phase I have also been a

completed on schedule.

/91.