ENG-1983 — Page 138

HEALTH

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Hospitals and Development Programmes There are three types of hospitals in Hong Kong - government, government-assisted and private - with a total of 22 935 beds representing 4.3 beds per thousand of the population. Pressure on the service was experienced on all fronts, reflected by the increase in attendance at out-patient clinics, and accident and emergency departments, and by the number of hospital admissions.

A regional approach to the planning and administration of medical and health services ensures an even utilisation of medical facilities in the government and government- subvented hospitals and clinics. In 1983 further regionalisation took place, grouping together facilities situated in a common geographical area to form an integrated network of services, and the administration of the regional offices was strengthened considerably with the provision of additional senior management staff.

Apart from the wide-ranging programme to provide new government hospitals and expand accommodation at existing ones, subvented and private organisations have an important complementary role in the provision of medical care for the community. Projects in the pipeline include further extensions to the Caritas Medical Centre, Yan Chai Hospital and Pok Oi Hospital, and the redevelopment of the Ruttonjee Sanatorium into a 432-bed general hospital. Two new private hospitals are in the planning stage with capacities ranging between 300 and 600 beds.

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In 1983, the total attendance at government accident and emergency departments was 1 012 000 averaging 2 770 attendances per day. More than 639 000 patients were treated at the 13 government and 19 government-assisted hospitals.

Clinics

General out-patient services form a vital part of the health care system. The government now operates 59 general out-patient clinics as well as polyclinics and specialist clinics. Evening, Sunday and public holiday sessions continued at clinics in the more densely populated areas as part of the overall measures to meet the expanding demand for out-patient services. The medical development programme includes more than 20 clinic and polyclinic projects throughout the territory.

Mobile dispensaries and floating clinics take medical services to the outlying islands and the more remote areas of the New Territories. Other inaccessible areas are visited regularly by the 'flying doctor' service with assistance from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force.

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At the end of 1983, 339 clinics were registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance. Of these, 89 clinics were under the control of a registered medical practitioner and 250 more clinics registered under the provisions for exempting certain clinics. Registered medical practitioners - members of the Estate Doctor Association – set up clinics in housing estates to provide a low-cost service for residents.

The total attendance figures at government out-patient clinics was 15.1 million in 1983, 4.9 per cent more than the previous year.

Family Health

The Family Health Services of the Medical and Health Department operate 42 maternal and child health centres, providing a comprehensive health programme for women of child-bearing age and children up to five years. Family planning is an important component of the Family Health Services. Ante-natal and post-natal health consultant sessions are conducted for mothers. Immunisation programmes are carried out against tuberculosis,