For student midwives who are not registered nurses, a two-year course of training at the Tsan Yuk Hospital, and to a limited extent at other approved training schools, is accepted by the Midwives Board for entry to its examinations.
245.
Due to the limited scope of domiciliary midwifery in Hong Kong, adequate practical training in this aspect of midwifery cannot be given, and full reciprocity of recognition of midwifery qualifications with the Central Midwives Board of England and Wales is not possible. Only the one-year post- graduate courses conducted in English, held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Caritas Medical Centre, have reciprocity with the Part I Examination of the Central Midvives Board of England and Wales.
Public Health Nursing
246.
A 9-month post-basic course for registered nurses leading to the Health Visitors and School Murses certificate of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health was commenced in March, 1974. A 2-year basic course for Health Auxiliaries was held in April 1973 and provides training in heal th education and public health nursing, which includes maternal and child health work, training and keeping of records of infectious diseases in general, and of tuberculosis, leprosy and venereal disease in particular.
247.
RADIOGRAPHERS
Radiographers continued to receive in-service training during the year, and examinations were held in Hong Kong for membership of the Society of Radiographers for both therapy and diagnostic radiographers. Four student radiographers passed the Part II D.S.R.(R) examination, and three passed the Part II D.S.R.(T), sa becoming qualified radiographers.
LABORATORY TECHNICIANS
248.
The department's Institute of Pathology maintained its in- service training for medical laboratory technicians. The intermediate examination of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of the United Kingdom was held in Hong Kong, and technicians were sent to the United Kingdom to obtain the A.I.M.L.T. qualification.
249.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
Two groups of students continued their programmes in the Physiotherapy Training School. In October 1973, 12 qualified, 8 for Government and 4 for the private sector leaving 33 who are continuing their training at present of whom 9 will eventually work in the private sector : this includes 17 who were recruited in October 1973.
250.
OTHER FORMS OF DEPARTMENTAL TRAINING
In-service courses of training continued in 1973 for dispensers and prosthetists. These courses qualify those who complete them for appointment to permanent posts in government service after passing a departmental examination. The course for student prosthetists also leads to the award of Associateship of the British Institute of Surgical Technicians to the successful candidates.
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251.
VII DEVELOPMENT
FORWARD PLANNING
Hospital development has been unparalled in the past 19 years. But the population has also increased rapidly, and there is still considerable pressure on most categories of hospital beds, particularly those for acute and chronic general and mental patients.
252.
The white paper on the development of medical services in Hong Kong, tabled in the Legislative Council in February 1964, outlined the medical problems in Hong Kong, and made suggestions for the correction of deficiencies in order to produce, alongside a rapidly increasing population. a reasonably satisfactory standard of medical facilities. The working party which prepared the white paper was re-constituted by the Governor as the Medical Development Plan Standing Committee.
253.
Over the past 10 years, the medical services have been considerably expanded, and the aims set out in the white paper were broadly achieved. For example, the target for an overall provision of 4.25 hospital beds per 1,000 of the population was attained, and developments already in the pipeline will increase the ratio to 4.5.
254.
The programmes of improvement and expansion over the next 10 years between 1973 and 1982 woul, di have to be separately examined, and it was in this context that in March 1973, a new Medical Development Advisory Committee was appointed by the Governor to replace the Medical Development Plan Standing Committee whose task had been completed.
255.
The terms of reference of the Medical Development Advisory Committee vere : "To keep under continuous review and to advise on the development and phased implementation of medical and health services in Hong Kong having regard to all factors which would determine the progress of expansion including financial, the rate of building construction and the availability of qualified staff, and on the principles of subvention."
256.
The Medical Development Advisory Committee was also asked to advise on what programmes of improvement and expansion would be appropriate over the next 10 years, in the circumstances of Hong Kong, and to submit a report to the Governor by July 31, 1973.
257.
The Medical Development Advisory Committee consisted of the following Members:-
258.
Dn. the Hon. Sir Albert Rodrigues, (chairman); the Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. G.H. Choa, (vice-chairman); the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr. D.G. Jeaffreson; the Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary (Social Services), Mr. P.B. williams; the Secretary, University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, Mr. S.F. Bailey; the Hon. R.H. Lobo; Mr. Tai Kuen; Mr Li Fook-wo; Sister (Dr.) M. Acquinas; and Dr. Li Shu-pui.
259.
In the short period of four months, the Committee had submitted a report to the Governor. This report set out standards in the provision of hospital beds and clinics, and estimated the requirements for doctors, dentists and nurses. Recommendations were made regarding the development over the next 10 years in order to achieve the various targets. The report was made
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