ENG-1984 — Page 184

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HEALTH

law enforcement service whose staff includes 17 pharmacists. During the year, intensified action against the illegal sale and distribution of poisons and antibiotics resulted in a record 122 prosecutions.

Community Nursing Service

The Community Nursing Service extends care to patients discharged from hospitals after acute illness and provides domiciliary medical care and support for the sick, the disabled and the elderly in their own homes.

The service is provided by trained community nurses. Jointly operated by eight agencies, including the Medical and Health Department, it is largely hospital-based, with domiciliary services provided through a network of 39 sub-centres. During the year, 10 100 new patients were treated by community nurses and more than 216 000 home visits were made.

Health Education

The Central Health Education Unit of the Medical and Health Department is responsible for organising, co-ordinating and promoting health education activities. During 1984, the major theme for health education was a Healthy Family and to promote the message Health Begins at Home various activities were organised, including competitions, radio and television programmes, exhibitions, and a carnival at Victoria Park. Other themes publicised during the year included Anti-Smoking, Mental Health, and Adolescent Health. The unit runs an audio-visual service and also loans health education materials to schools and voluntary agencies.

A 24-hour hotline service was started in mid-1984. This service has an automatic telephone answering system with a pre-recorded message on various medical and health topics which are changed every month. The overwhelming response indicates that Hong Kong people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health education.

Medical Charges

In May 1984, the charge for a consultation at a general out-patient clinic was increased from $5 to $7. The charge for a consultation at a specialist clinic was also raised, from $6 to $10. These charges cover medicine as well as X-ray examinations and laboratory tests. Charges for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and child assessment were raised to $10 per visit. However, charges for injections and dressings, and for visiting family planning clinics and methadone clinics remained unchanged at $2 and $1 respectively. Even at the increased rate, the charges still represent a substantial subsidy from public funds. They may be reduced or waived in cases of hardship certified by a medical social worker.

From May, patients in third class beds in government hospitals were charged $15 per day, an increase of $5. This fee is all inclusive, covering diet, X-ray examinations, laboratory tests, drugs, surgery and any other forms of special treatment required. The fee for home visits by community nurses was also increased from $10 to $15. These fees may also be waived if warranted. Despite the increase, hospital charges remain barely adequate to cover the cost of patients' meals. A limited number of private beds are provided at major government hospitals with higher maintenance and treatment charges.

Free medical services continued to be offered at maternal and child health centres, tuberculosis and chest clinics, social hygiene clinics, accident and emergency departments, floating clinics and through the 'flying doctor' scheme.