1 Four sites eyed for new private hospitals
Mary Ann Benitez, SCMP 18 October 2008

New private hospitals will be built next to public hospitals if two of the four sites the government is eyeing as potential sites for private facilities are selected.

One is next to Tai Po Hospital and the other is land already allocated for phase two of the North Lantau  Hospital.

The two other potential sites were near Nam Fung Path in Aberdeen and Pak Shing Kok in Tseung Kwan O, a spokeswoman for the Food and Health Bureau said yesterday, giving further details about proposals outlined in the policy address.

Earlier yesterday, Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok told legislators that the size of the potential sites for private hospitals ranged from 1.7 to 2 hectares.

He also said land grant conditions would stipulate that private hospitals provide inexpensive beds and cater to local residents.

"I don't want private hospitals just to make money and take care of non-local people," Dr Chow told members of the Legislative Council's health services panel.

"Anyone operating should be asked to provide reasonable services. If they just operate with a commercial angle, then the land grant conditions will take care of that. This is an important consideration," he said.

Dr Chow also assured legislators that the government would not reduce its financial support to the Hospital Authority.

Legislator Cyd Ho said: "I am worried that the government will facilitate the development of private hospitals. Will it then push patients to private hospitals?"

But Dr Chow said: "Our commitment to medical care will go up, not come down and the services of the Hospital Authority will go up, not come down."

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said in Wednesday's policy address that the government was identifying suitable sites for new private hospitals and would make sure "the premiums for such land are fair to the private hospitals and the public".

A senior government source said yesterday there was concern that non-local patients were taking up a significant portion of private hospital services. "If there is any concession in the premiums for new private hospitals in the future, it would be just fair that certain resources be reserved for Hong Kong people," the official said.

Some private doctors have complained that the waiting time for operations at private hospitals is getting longer as many slots are occupied for Caesarean sections for mainland mothers, with local mothers facing difficulties in securing a maternity bed.