277. It may be of interest to note that in 1956 over a million pounds of bulk mixtures were made up in the Central Medical Store for issue to the various hospitals and clinics; during the same period, almost three tons of bulk ointments were made up. Again, in order to meet the ever-increasing demands of the hospitals for intravenous fluids, 49,000 litres of these liquids were produced under sterile conditions.
Physiotherapy.
278. Thanks to the arrival of three more Physiotherapists the Physiotherapy Service has this year for the first time been able to carry out full-time duties in all of the four hospitals and elinies to which physiotherapy units are attached. In addition,
the increase in staff has given rise tu a great improvement in the standard of work. Group activity is now taking place at the Wanchai Polyclinic; this means that many patients with similar injuries or disabilities can be grouped together for combined intensive specialized exercises. It also encourages keenness and competition between patients, and the games introduced mean that patients and staff alike enjoy the treat- ment.
279. The four units mentioned above are located at the Queen Mary Hospital, the Kowloon Hospital, the Lai Chi Kok Hospital and Wanchai Polyclinic. At Queen Mary Hospital work is limited to in-patients and patients are transferred, on discharge, to Wanchai Polyclinic which deals with all out- patients on the Island. Patients from Sai Ying Pun Hospital, the Tung Wah Hospitals and the Mental Hospital are also treated here as soon as they are fit to be moved. The branch at Kowloon Hospital deals mainly with cases from that hospital and from out-patient departments on the Mainland, while at Lai Chi Kok Hospital cases are mainly orthopaedic and patients recovering from major chest surgery.
Deenpational Therapy.
280. This service has had a most unfortunate year. At the beginning of the year there were two full-time occupational therapists. One left to get married and the other unfortunately contracted severe poliomyelitis and had to return to England. Since then no full-time staff has been available, but fortunate ly the services of some well qualified ladies were obtained
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on a part-time basis. In these circumstances it has naturally proved impossible to do as much as had been hoped, but it is remarkable how much was actually done.
281. In the Queen Mary Hospital it has been possible to carry on with therapy every forenoon, mainly for in-patients. A Balkan Beam has been provided which enables suitable patients to weave, but the most popular crafts are rattan work, and string and plastic knotting. The making of teddy bears and cotton gloves are new techniques, and carpentry is taught in suitable cases in the hospital carpenters' shop.
282. In the Mental Hospital three classes have been held regularly every day and more patients are attending under medical prescription. Rattan work, comparable with anything to be bought locally, is carried on under a full-time instructor; carpentry is extending and such articles as stool frames and rocking horses are manufactured. String bags, plastic string animals and crochet work are done by other male patients, and lampshade making has been introduced. Government orders
for brooms, waste-paper baskets and crutches are carried out as before.
283. In Lai Chi Kok Hospital the scope of the work has steadily increased, occupational therapy being particularly suitable for the long-term patients who occupy so many of the beds in this institution. String and rattan work are still the most popular crafts but it has been possible to introduce some toy-making, embroidery, tapestry, crochet and weaving.
Blood Burks.
284. There are no major changes to report in the facilities offered by the blood transfusion service. The greatest difficulty has continued to be the reluctance of the local population to be blood donors, and very little progress has been made in over- coming this factor. The demands for blood increase, but, as in the past, the main source of supply has been the Armed Services. Stores and Equipment.
285. Manufacture of special items of surgical furniture continues within the department with very great saving of public money, and a considerable amount of work has been carried out in connexion with investigations into new and more modern types of equipment. Among the projects successfully
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