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the contacts of all known cases of tuberculosis to come up for examination and x-rays. They visit and report on the home conditions of all new patients and, whenever necessary, follow
up cases.
5. Mental Hospital.
In the Mental Hospital, plans have been made for a system of follow-up for mental patients. At the present time one almoner has to cope with the Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital, Sai Ying Pun Infectious Diseases Hospital, Sai Ying Pun out- patients and the Mental Hospital, all of which are situated close to each other in a very crowded and poor area. It is hoped later in 1950 that it will be possible to appoint an almoner full time to the Mental Hospital and to make a start on the much needed social work that is waiting to be done.
6. Recreation.
(a) Occupational Therapy.
Occupational Therapy is still in its infancy and without the expert help of a trained occupational therapist it is difficult to arrange for work or recreational activity which should be selected and prescribed for each individual patient for his parti- cular needs; but a start has been made on very broad lines. A small committee has been formed to deal with an occupational therapy fund made up of voluntary grants.
(b) Teaching Trudes as a form of Rehabilitation.
It is hoped during the next year that it will be possible to teach patients some form of occupational therapy, not only as a diversion when in hospital, but as a trade which will be of use to them when they are discharged. There is at present a Rattan Instructor at the Mental Hospital, and a voluntary helper at Queen Mary Hospital whose services have been most useful,
(c) Library.
A Library has been started in Lai Chi Kok Hospital with the help of Tuberculosis Workers mainly for tuberculous patients. Chinese newspapers are being sent to every ward in all the hospitals by the Secretary of the British Red Cross Committee in Hong Kong, who has also sent books for the library.
(d) Films.
The Red Cross have also started to give silent film shows at the Lai Chi Kok Hospital and Ruttonjee Sanatorium.
7. Samaritan Fund.
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The Principal Almoner has control of a Samaritan Fund used to help patients who are in need and for whom there is no other provision. Grants and loans are given from this Fund which is entirely made up of voluntary contributions.
(a) Hawkers,
Fatients who leave Hospital and who cannot work due to accident or disease may, on the advice of the almoner, be granted a hawkers licence. Several patients have had a grant from the Samaritan Fund to pay for the licence, and have been given a certain amount of capital with which to buy their goods.
(b) Re-housing.
Tuberculous patients have been helped with grants and loans towards the cost of building a new house or hut, in order that they may live in less crowded conditions and have as much rest and fresh air as possible.
(c) Incidental Expenses.
Small grants are made from time to time for travelling expenses and meals for patients coming from a distance.
(d) Pocket Money.
Many patients have no relations to bring them extras or to buy their clothes. Long term patients, such as those in the Mental Hospital, may have small pensions or allowances from Government or private sources which can be used for this purpose. In all cases such monies are given to the Principal Almoner to administer through the Samaritan Fund.
The work of the Almoners' Department has expanded during the year, and plans have been laid for future schemes although it is always difficult in the Colony to plan for the future owing to the shifting tides of population.
A. M. BALLANTYNE,
Principal Almoner.
7th July, 1950.
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