HEALTH
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while others are supported in varying degrees by fees, voluntary donations and grants from mission funds. In a number of instances, where a proportion of low cost or free beds is maintained, and where any excess of income over expenditure is put toward hospital development, land is granted without premium and the rates are refunded through a Government subvention.
OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND SERVICES
The growth of population and the increasing demand for treat- ment by western medicine has called for a rapid expansion of out-patient facilities, both by Government and by private agencies. Attendances at Government out-patient centres alone have in- creased by 79 per cent during the last five years. Government main- tains 48 out-patient clinics and dispensaries of varying size and scope. In addition out-patient specialist sessions are held at a number of centres in the urban areas, while in the New Territories the larger clinics are visited by specialist teams from Hong Kong and Kowloon. The remoter areas of the New Territories are served by two mobile dispensaries and two floating clinics. The latter are launches, donated by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, which visit isolated centres on the eastern and western coasts. To meet the need for medical aid in the remoter inland villages there is a fortnightly service by helicopter. This service is very popular and was extended during the year.
A road ambulance service is maintained throughout the Colony by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. Evacuation of cases of serious illness from regions Inot readily accessible by road is carried out by helicopter, by fast police launch and by floating clinic. In addition to the Government out-patient services many charitable and missionary organizations take an active interest in medical and health problems. Kaifong, district and clansmen's associations support a total of 36 clinics giving treatment free or at nominal cost. A number of industrial and commercial concerns also operate clinics for their employees and many trade unions provide similar services for their members.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
In Government hospitals there are clinical specialists in anaesthe- tics; chest surgery; dentistry, ear, nose and throat diseases; eye
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