Should the government overhaul data controls? My reply can only be a big 'yes'. With all the encryption technology available, or such things as levels of authority, the current 'discoveries' should not have happened in the first place ('7 more cases of hospital data going missing', May 6). I remember even in the late 1980s when I was doing volunteer work at one of the subsidised hospitals in Hong Kong, they were setting up procedures for the use of a centralised database system. I took part in one of their unofficial discussions where procedures similar to those used in banks were being raised. Sadly, that very hospital is one of those revealed to have lost some data. It is simple to see what happened. Those who knew what should be done didn't know how to make it happen. Those who had the know-how, did not recognise the importance of doing it. There is a very simple yet effective way of protecting data as confidential as patients' records and that is to follow the practice of banks and centralise data with several layers of back-ups. Access to different information requires different log-in methods, which may include swiping of staff cards, use of different log-ins and passwords. Angela Hall, North Point I refer to the report ('7 more cases of hospital data going missing', May 6). It is shocking to hear that there are nine cases of hospital and personal data missing [from public hospitals], involving 5,988 patients. I think that is unacceptable for a government authority to make such a mistake. I was surprised to learn that one of the lost items was a laptop computer. Surely, someone would have noticed an individual removing a laptop. Obviously, there are some problems with the system and a full-scale overhaul should be carried out as soon as possible. Although there is no sign the lost data has been misused, there is no room for complacency. Data can by protected by encryption. Also, when it comes to people processing such data, the Hospital Authority can learn from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, where markers of exam papers are only allowed to work in certain places. I hope all government departments will pay more attention to security when it comes to dealing with data which includes details of Hong Kong citizens. Philan-philip Yim, Tsuen Wan Who should be given the vacant school in Mui Wo? I think that the vacant Heung Yee Kuk Southern District Secondary School in Mui Wo should be used for the expansion of 'Hong Kong's only secondary school with rehabilitation services for teenage drug abusers', the Christian Zheng Sheng College ('Expansion of centre for addicts in doubt', May 5). These young people have the greatest need. Hong Kong has insufficient educational facilities for teenage drug abusers who are in recovery and the government should provide these facilities. These young people need to be given the chance to get a comprehensive education. If they do not get a proper education, they will struggle to find work. Tin Kin, Lai Chi Kok What do you think of HK's handling of the torch relay? Last Friday's Olympic torch relay in Hong Kong was a very successful event. I found it to be a joyful and grand occasion. Though I appreciate that many citizens were inconvenienced by road closures and transport services were affected, I was delighted to see that people were patient and co-operative. As Hong Kong was the first stop in China after the torch's overseas journey, lots of people watched the relay and had very strong emotions. They wore red T-shirts to support the Olympics and got into the spirit of the Games. What I saw on Friday showed that most Hong Kong people are very patriotic. Dustin Chow, Ap Lei Chau What do you think of shops' service standard? While the government is promoting Hongkongers' enthusiastic as well as friendly attitude towards tourists, what many shoppers experience is quite the opposite. Besides having a long wait in a queue because there are not enough salespeople, the service offered is not always satisfactory. For example, too often when you ask a question about a product you are interested in buying, you are told very little in reply. Sales staff are often reluctant to explain much about an item. Also, I would like to see salespeople smiling at customers. Even a slight smile would be welcome. Claire Lau Ka-yiu, Tsuen Wan Should each district have a dog park? When looking at this issue, we must consider the efficient use of available government funds. Officials should look at particular districts and ask if there is a sufficient number of dog owners to merit having a dog park. If there is a genuine demand, then I am sure there would be no opposition to such a park in that district. Also, rather than building new parks, officials could look at the possibility of modifying existing public parks. Hui Wing-yan, Tsuen Wan On other matters ... Dumper drivers went on strike because they said that rising fuel charges were eating into their profits ('Dumper truck drivers strike over fuel surcharge', May 6). Public sympathy for their plight is tempered however by the sight of rows of dumper trucks parked every day on crowded urban streets with their engines running. If fuel costs are so high then surely it would make economic sense to turn off the engines as soon as the trucks are stationary? In Tsim Sha Tsui there can be up to eight of these trucks double parked outside various sites. This causes gridlock and air and noise pollution and has a negative impact on the fast response of the emergency services. Time and again I have suggested that with better fleet management the dumper trucks could park in areas like West Kowloon, where there are kilometres of empty roads and be called to the site when their services are required. The long-suffering pedestrian can have little sympathy with drivers of any category with regard to the price of fuel, when it is obvious that there has been no move on their part to cut unnecessary fuel consumption despite escalating costs. Mary Melville, Tsim Sha Tsui
