The Hospital Authority will recruit additional doctors and midwives for Tuen Mun Hospital's obstetrics department, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says.

It is also considering temporary staff redeployment to the hospital to meet obstetrics demand in the western New Territories.

Dr Chow told lawmakers today the authority has adopted a more flexible mode of employment to engage obstetrics specialists in private practice for public hospitals on a part-time basis and train young doctors.

Tuen Mun Hospital handled 6,043 deliveries in 2005, and should be able to handle about 6,000 annually in the next three years.

Dr Chow said the supply of obstetrics personnel is tight at present. The use of obstetrics services will be closely monitored and resources wil be deployed appropriately and flexibly to meet demand.