456. At the Lai Chi Kok Hospital Occupational Therapy unit there has been a noticeable increase in the treatments given with more em- phasis on specific remedial work. A new building, which now houses the carpentry workshop, has proved to be a great asset in that it has lessened congestion in the existing unit and allowed many more of the mobile patients to be treated out of the wards. The work done included the development of specified muscle movements by the making of children's furniture, articulated toys, educational toys and other wood work.
457. Diversional therapy was given to walking tuberculosis patients who attended the unit for half an hour four times each week.
458. A small number of patients was, prior to discharge from hospi- tal, instructed in the use of aids designed to overcome difficulties rising from long-term disabilities and to help with the daily needs of eating. washing, dressing and walking.
459. The standard and scope of work produced in the Occupational Therapy units at the Victoria Mental Hospital reached a high level. The introduction of new crafts such as embroidery on coloured linen canvas followed on the arrival of new equipment which also brought more variety to weaving and other established crafts. There was an increase in the number of patients occupied in painting and drawing for diagnos- tie purposes. Some of the better oil paintings were framed in the carpentry shop and presented to the Castle Peak Hospital for decoration of the existing wards.
460. A new Deccalian gramophone and microphone were added to the equipment and are most useful adjuncts to the existing stage which is used for concerts, social gatherings and other entertainments organized for the patients. Film shows continued at fortnightly intervals and a Chinese opera was staged at Christmas time by the courtesy of a local company. An interesting new development has been a series of outings, when selected patients are taken by the Occupational Therapist to places of interest, including photographic or painting exhibitions.
461. The second Annual Exhibition of Handicrafts and Sale of Work was held in December, 1958. This very successful function, which in- cluded exhibits of interest and a competition for the best dressed doll entered by members of the female nursing staff, realized $1,432 from the sale of work.
462. The scope of the work done in therapy sessions held daily in the female wards has included the production of some good quality tapestries, modelling in plasticine and the making of plastic animals and glove
92
puppets. On the male side of the hospital a day room is now used for the making of bamboo brooms to fill orders from the Government Stores and this has given scope for therapy amongst some very retarded patients who have achieved a quite adequate quality of work. The men are also engaged in weaving, raffia work and the making of plastic flowers. The carpentry workshop turned out a variety of woodwork which included some well made and attractive pieces of furniture.
463. At the Castle Peak Hospital the facilities for occupational and diversional therapy are limited but continued satisfactory. Here garden- ing is the main activity on the male side while the women patients do a certain amount of sewing and tailoring for the hospital itself.
464. The incentive payments scheme has continued and provided funds for a number of special Chinese dinners-always a very popular form of entertainment. The incentive scheme is not yet comprehensive but this is being rectified in the next financial year when it will become fully operative throughout the two hospitals.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION BOARD
465. All candidates for employment with Government have to pass a medical examination before they can be accepted for appointment; this applics also to recruits to the Auxiliary Defence Services. A further medical examination is required for entry to the permanent establish- ment and before promotion or transfer. On each occasion a full physical examination is carried out, an X-ray taken of the chest and such other routine laboratory investigations as may be required are undertaken.
466. The Board consists of a Chairman and three other Medical Officers, one of whom is a woman. The following table outlines the work done during the year,
TABLE 35
Governmen
Auxiliary
Candidates
Defence MiscellaneoI Total
Limits
New examinations Re-examinations
6.232
2,539
149
8,920
3,640
1.962
65
5,667
9,872
4.501
214
14,587
1.903
610
Referred to Tuberculosis Specialist
other Specialists
Total referred
93
2,513
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