ENG-1986 — Page 164

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HEALTH

Other on-going programmes of the unit continued to be popular. These included the telephone health education hotline service, the slide and video shows at the health education centres and out-patient clinics, the lending of audio-visual materials to schools and voluntary organisations, and the health column appearing weekly in the newspapers.

Medical Charges

In August, the charge for a consultation at a general out-patient clinic was increased from $9 to $10. The charge for a consultation at a specialist clinic was also raised, from $12 to $13. These charges cover medicine as well as X-ray examinations and laboratory tests. Charges for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and child assessment were raised to $13 per visit. Charges for injections and dressings remained at $3 while those for visiting family planning clinics and methadone clinics remained at $1. 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 August, patients in third class beds in government hospitals were charged $20 per day, an increase of $2. 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 remained at $18. These fees may also be waived if warranted. Despite the increase, hospital charges remain barely adequate to cover only the cost of patients' meals. A limited number of private beds is 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.

Training of Health Personnel

The basic training of doctors is provided by the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Graduates of the two medical schools are awarded degrees recognised by the General Medical Council of Great Britain. The student intake at the University of Hong Kong remains at 150 a year. During the year, the Chinese University of Hong Kong produced its first group of 51 doctors who will be ready for full registration in 1987.

Both the government and the two universities maintain a comprehensive post-graduate training programme for doctors, providing opportunities for doctors to receive training overseas, sit for higher professional examinations, attain higher qualifications, and attend professional conferences, seminars and workshops. In 1986, about 150 doctors went overseas for further training under government sponsorship, or with the help of scholarships.

Under the licentiate scheme, 65 externally trained doctors successfully passed the local licenciate examination in 1986.

The Prince Philip Dental Hospital produced a group of 72 dentists in 1986. The training of dental therapists is provided at the Tang Shiu Kin Dental Therapists Training School.

The basic training for general registered nurses is conducted at government, government- assisted and private hospitals. There are now eight such training schools with an average annual training capacity of about 1070 places. Three more nurse training schools are planned over the next decade. The annual training capacity for general enrolled nurses is to be increased from 560 to 570.