TNAG-1858-FCO40-2633-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 130

HONG KONG

LEGISLATIVE 香港立法局———————————一九八九年七月十九日

COUNCIL

19 July 1989

17

(c) the establishment of a working party to conduct an overall review of the

safety systems and procedures of the gas supplier;

(d) the introduction of colour coding for containers; and

(e) other improvements relating to the organization, management and

procedures of the gas supplier.

The Secretary for Health and Welfare has advised that careful consideration is being given to the establishment of an Academy of Medicine which would be responsible for the further training of doctors. The Administration's intentions will be announced in the near future.

As regards monitoring devices, shortly after the tragic incident, the then Director of Medical and Health Services, on 21 January 1989, issued a circular to all government, subvented and private hospitals, providing detailed guidelines on the supply and use of oxygen in hospitals and clinics. The Director of Hospital Services issued a further circular on 21 June 1989 to all hospital managements, drawing their attention to the recommendation of the inquest jury on the installation and use of monitoring devices for every operation involving general anaesthesia.

The Director of Fire Services is now liaising with relevant government departments and the gas supplier to set up a working party to conduct an overall review of the safety systems and procedures. The first meeting will be in early August. This working party will also be asked to examine other recommendations which should be implemented by the gas supplier and to consider appropriate monitoring arrangements by the Administration.

The recommendation to introduce legislation on colour coding for containers will be addressed by the separate working group which is already conducting a review of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance.

DR. LEONG: Sir, in his reply the Secretary indicated that the Director of Fire Services is now liaising with relevant government departments and the gas supplier to set up a working party. As the issue concerns safety measures in the use of medical gases, could the Secretary advise which departments will be involved in this working party and whether the membership will be made known to the public?