ENG-2004 — Page 226

Authority continued to step up training for family physicians, community paediatricians, community physicians, general practitioners and community allied health practitioners to support the development of the community mode of health care delivery. The Authority made 780 600 home visits to provide rehabilitative and palliative care services as well as 581 000 outreach attendances for elderly and psychiatric patients. It also introduced two new programmes on fall prevention and hypertension control. To strengthen its ambulatory services, the HA is remodelling the Tang Shiu Kin Hospital into an ambulatory care centre which is due to be completed in early 2005.

Projects in the hospital development programme progressed satisfactorily. On- going projects included the redevelopment of Castle Peak Hospital (Phase 2), the construction of a radiotherapy centre and redevelopment of the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital, the redevelopment of staff quarters at the Tuen Mun Hospital into a rehabilitation block, and the remodelling of the Tuen Mun Polyclinic Building into an ophthalmic centre. To enhance the preparedness of public hospitals for a possible outbreak of infectious diseases in the future, works for additional isolation facilities commenced in 2003. As at the end of 2004, there were 1 415 additional isolation beds available for use in public hospitals. The building works of a new infectious disease block at Princess Margaret Hospital commenced in March 2004.

Health Promotion

Central Health Education Unit

The Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health continues to play a leading role in formulating the direction and providing health education resources for the promotion of public health. The unit comprises multi-disciplinary professionals to facilitate the provision of knowledge-based, need-driven and effective health promotion.

The unit organised a variety of health promotion activities in 2004, involving all levels of the community. These activities included the 'Healthy Exercise for All Campaign' and the 'Campaign against Dengue Fever'. A number of health campaigns were launched in response to the World Health Day, the World Breastfeeding Week, the World Diabetes Mellitus Day and the World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day.

The unit recognises the importance of research and evaluation in health promotion. In 2004, the unit released the report of a population survey which assessed public awareness of the anti-SARS campaign and the anti-dengue fever campaign. The survey also examined the public's knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the recommended preventive measures. Another study to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a campaign to promote stair climbing in local public housing estates was completed. Furthermore, focus groups were conducted to identify the facilitating factors and barriers of regular physical activity and healthy eating among people of different age groups in Hong Kong. Results of this study will be used to design campaigns in promoting regular physical activity and healthy eating.