X1000306-1975-76_Part01 — Page 10

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The foundation vork of the extension to the Caritas Medical Centre was started in July 1975.

IX TRAINING PROGRAMMES

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Physiotherapists

In October, 11 new students were enrolled, making a total of

47 students in the school.

Medical Staff

Higher professional examinations are held in Hong Kong by the Royal Colleges of Hedicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Pathology, the Faculty of Anaesthesia and the Faculty of Radiologists.

Twelve government doctors were enabled by various financial schemes, besides full pay study leave, to acquire higher qualifications in their respective fields overseas,

Dental Staff

In the year, five scholarships have been granted to local scholars to study dentistry at the Universities of Sydney and Singapore and three graduates returned to Hong Kong. So Far 77 scholars out of the 103 scholarships awarded in the past years have completed their professional training and returned.

One dental officer and one dental nurse vere sent to attend the first regional course in public health dentistry.

Nursing Staff

There vere 775 general student nurses and 104 psychiatric student nurses undergoing a three-year course training in the three respective government hospital schools of mursing. Whereas for the two-year courses leading to enrolment, there were 190 general pupil nurses and 69 psychiatric pupil murses being trained in the two schools. There vere 46 student midwives taking the two-year midwifery course at Tsan Yuk Hospital. In addition, 77 registered nurses vere undergoing post-basic training in midwifery.

The experimental six-month course to train 14 enrolled nurses in basic health procedures vas successfully completed and a further course with 10 participants had commenced.

In-service training courses on special subjects, such as operating theatre techniques, infectious diseases, emergency and accident nursing, nidwifery and management vere organised.

Radiographers

6 student radiographers passed the examination leading to the Diploma of the Society of Radiographers for diagnostic radiography and one passed the Higher Diploma of the Society of Radiographers.

X. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

The policy white paper "The Further Development of Medical and Health Services in Hong Kong", which was endorsed by the Legislative Council in August, 1974,serves as the blue print for the expansion of medical and health services for the next ten years. This plan vill be carried forvard and reviewed by the Medical Development Advisory Committee annually. first review was undertaken in 1976.

Projects under Construction

The

Major projects under construction included the Stage I of the Kowloon East Polyclinic and the additional floor of the Arran Street Bye Clinic,

XI.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Department is responsible for administering services which

In order to provide medical and health care for the community of Hong Kong. provide a satisfactory service, a staff of 14,981 of which 886 were medical staff of all grades and 5,551 were nursing staff, vere needed in 1975.

I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation to the staff at all levels for their help in dealing with the many problems which the Department had had to face every day in the year under review. In spite of the fact that they often had to work under the pressure of difficult circumstances, they all carried out their duties effectively, with a trus sense of devotion and dedication. I am grateful to them all for their unfailing support throughout the year.

The Department received every assistance and co-operation from other government departments, voluntary agencies, the Press, the radio and television networks, The patience shown by members of the public in spite of many unavoidable shortcomings is also deeply appreciated.

I also wish to thank the many public spirited persons who devoted so much of their time in order to serve on statutory boards, advisory Committees, working parties, and in voluntary agencies dealing with the many aspects of medical and health problems in Hong Kong.