HC Deb 15 July 1958 vol 591 cc81-2W
Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many medical staff are employed in the ante-natal clinics at the Tsan Yuk Hospital, Hong Kong; how many sessions are held per month; and what has been the average attendance per session in the past year.

Mr. Profumo

, pursuant to his reply. [OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th June, 1958; Vol. 589, c. 883], supplied the following information:

The medical staff in attendance at the clinics is two Lecturers from the University, one Senior House Officer and three to five House Officers. The Government Medical Officer in charge of the Hospital also attends certain patients. There are six sessions each week, two of them held especially for new cases. The average attendances per session in 1957 were 106 at sessions for new cases and 281 at the other sessions.

Tsan Yuk Hospital, which has 200 beds, is the main training centre for obstetrics and is also a leading school for midwives. The number of pregnant women seeking to register there has gradually increased since the new building opened in June, 1955. Inevitably, the demand eventually exceeded the facilities available and this gave rise to the situation described in the "Hong Kong Standard" of 16th May last. At the beginning of June a new system was introduced of registration according to priority, and by the time the hon. Member asked her question, overnight queues were no longer forming. The Hong Kong Government is well aware of the need for more facilities for maternity cases and has plans for two new hospitals to provide an additional 510 beds.