GENERAL HOSPITAL WARDS (Plan to show whereabouts)

Mr William Tan asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider putting up a plan at the entrance to every block in the General Hospital indicating the whereabouts of different wards and departments.

The Minister for Education (Mr Chew Swee Kee) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, plans showing the whereabouts of each ward, unit, etc., are not only put up at the entrance of the blocks but also at the other vantage points such as the car park. There are also in addition direction indicators to the various wards and units in each block. The hon. Member will realise that the General Hospital is a very spread-out structure and in consequence any plan, however simplified, would be somewhat difficult to read by persons unaccustomed to reading plans.

Mr William Tan: Will the Hon. The Minister for Health consider putting up plans in the Chinese language?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Sir, at present the plans are only in the English language. This is of course of an experimental nature in order to see whether persons normally educated in English at least would be able to follow directions of the plans. The general observations we have indicate that even such persons find it difficult to read the plans and, in consequence, seek assistance from members of the staff for directions to various points. Under these circumstances, it is doubtful whether displaying further plans in Malay, Chinese, Tamil and other languages would be of any useful assistance. The matter, however, will be reviewed when found necessary.