the first three scholarship graduates, the staffing position with regard to occupational therapists has somewhat improved. During the year two female candidates were awarded scholarships to receive training in the United Kingdom.
131. At Castle Peak Hospital the department continued to provide a diverse programme of progressive treatment, covering work, recrea- tion and group social activities. Visits were made by small groups of patients to neighbouring villages accompanied by members of the staff in civilian dress, with the aim of bridging the gap between hospital and community, Industrial "out-work", consisting of contracts with factories, continued as a valuable adjunct to the treatment programme, and domestic, hospital and office equipment continued to be produced to meet Government Supplies Department orders.
132. The Hong Kong Psychiatric Centre (now located in the David Trench Rehabilitation Centre) and Yau Ma Tei Mental Health Centre continued to provide a treatment programme for out-patients, includ- ing selected patients from Castle Peak Hospital for whom a short follow-up period was necessary and those receiving other forms of therapy referred for observation prior to assessment for future employment.
133. The Kowloon Jockey Club Rehabilitation Centre now includes a regular attendance of cerebral palsy children, for whom a special treatment room has been reserved which is located apart from the main work areas. Otherwise, treatment bas followed the same pattern as in previous years and with the same aim in view-to assist patients to return to their previous employment, or where this is not possible, to an alternative means of livelihood. This unit has been directly responsible for the placement of an increased number of patients. The Hong Kong Telephone Company alone accepted a total of 8 against vacancies exclusively reserved for the disabled.
134. The occupational therapy units in Queen Mary Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital continued wtih the treatment of in-patients. In Queen Elizabeth Hospital there is also an attendance of out-patients. including cerebral palsy children. The Wan Chai Polyclinic has con- tinued to function to its maximum with the limited accommodation available. The expansion of the service included two new units, a physical unit in the David Trench Rehabilitation Centre and a psychiatric unit in Kowloon Hospital West Wing.
38
1,
ORTHOPAEDIC AND PROSTHETIC APPLIANCES
135. Due to the increase of industrial and traffic accidents the demand for artificial limbs is increasing. Because of this, work-study
in the production section has been directed mainly to improving the technique of fabricating prostheses. The main research and develop- ment undertaken during the year included modification to hip-disarticu- lation prostheses, improved prosthesis for fitting the Syme's amputee, and new prosthetic components for geriatric above-knee amputees. Though the number of new poliomyelitis patients requiring orthopaedic appliances has decreased the old poliomyelitis patients are growing up, and therefore the demand for medium and large sizes of long leg braces with knee hinges is increasing.
136. The number of Student Prosthetists under training in the department is now up to six. Since the training period for Student Prosthetists has been reduced from four years to three years a revised syllabus with more comprehensive lectures for the Prosthetic- Orthotic Course is being prepared. During the year one prosthetist was awarded the diploma of Orthopaedic Technician by the British Institute of Surgical Technicians and another prosthetist was awarded a prosthetic course by Government to study in the United Kingdom.
137. With the opening of the David Trench Rehabilitation Centre in March 1971 a comprehensive service to in-patients and out-patients on the Island has been achieved. The scope of the unit now covers all aspects of prosthetic and orthotic services for patients on either side of the barbour. The workshops of this unit also served as a supplier of special surgical appliances and instruments to the Ortho- paedic Surgery Unit, the physiotherapy Unit and the Special Skin Clinic.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION BOARD
(Tables 67-68)
138. This section performs medical examinations of new entrants to Government employment and to the Essential Services Corps. The number of persons classified as unfit on account of tuberculosis decreased considerably when compared with the previous year. Tuberculosis remained the primary reason for non-acceptance of applicants on medical grounds, being responsible for 6 out of the 9 classifications as 'unfit' in each thousand examinations.
39
T
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.