TNAG-1606-FCO40-22121-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 78

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3.

I should point out that the average occupancy

rate of almost 79% for the subvented hospitals is high by

international standards and is only relatively lower when

compared to the overcrowded situation in most Government

regional hospitals.

4.

Nevertheless, it is Government's policy to

encourage a more even utilisation of hospital beds in the

Government and subvented hospital sectors.

Measures which

have been taken by the Medical and Health Department

included :

(a)

(b)

the conversion of specialty wards with low

Occupancy rates such as paediatric and

obstetric wards, into surgical and medical

wards for which there is a greater demand;

more publicity regarding the Accident and

Emergency services of some subvented

hospitals;

(c) active encouragement of doctors in nearby

clinics to refer more cases to subvented

hospitals; and