ENG-1995 — Page 198

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HEALTH

The government-subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong runs nine birth control clinics and three youth health care centres, providing services such as contraception, sterilisation, vasectomy, gynaecological check-ups, pre-marital check- ups, youth counselling and advice on fertility. It also provides family planning, family life education and sex education.

Student Health Service

A new Student Health Service under the Department of Health replaced the School Medical Service in 1995. Its main objectives are health promotion, disease preven- tion and continuity of care. Seven student health service centres and one special assessment centre were opened to provide free health assessment, individual health counselling, health education and referral services to primary day school students.

School health inspectors from the department also visit schools regularly, advising them on environmental hygiene and sanitation of school premises. School health officers and nurses advise on the control of communicable diseases, and organise health education activities and immunisation campaigns.

Medical Care for the Elderly

The provision of medical services for geriatric patients has been made an urgent priority. Since 1994, geriatric teams in acute hospitals have been integrated with general medical teams to provide more efficient assessment and treatment for patients in acute hospitals. In addition, 415 day-places were provided for elderly patients.

A network of nursing homes with medical and nursing facilities is being developed for elderly patients. Non-profit making organisations are being invited to build and manage some of the nursing homes with assistance from the government in the form of land and part of the capital and running costs. By 1997, six nursing homes providing 1 400 beds will be in operation.

The first pilot elderly health centre in Nam Shan began in 1994, followed by a second in Kwun Tong in 1995. They provide screening and health counselling services for elderly patients as recommended by the Working Party on Primary Health Care. Four extra specialist medical teams are being established in 1995-96 to provide medical and psychiatric care to 9 500 old people living in institutions.

Services for the Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped

Medical services for mentally ill persons include treatment in hospitals, out-patient clinics, day hospitals and outreaching services. The Hospital Authority, in conjunc- tion with various government and non-government organisations, provides a comprehensive psychiatric service for the territory. Patients are treated, as far as possible, in the community. Emphasis is placed on continuity of care and integrating rehabilitation with medical treatment.

At the end of 1995, 4054 beds were provided in psychiatric hospitals, and 1 563 beds in public psychiatric units of general hospitals. An additional 1 010 beds are being planned for psychiatric patients in public hospitals by the year 2000. Psychiatric day hospital places remained at 575 at the end of 1995.

Community work and aftercare units of psychiatric hospitals help discharged patients. The community psychiatric nursing service and domiciliary occupational