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Average length of stay in public hospitals
Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
of the average hospitalisation of period of patients in each of the public hospitals in the last three years; and
(b)
whether there is an indication of a downward trend in the hospitalisation period of patients in certain public hospitals; if so, what the reasons are and whether it is due to a shortage of hospital beds?
Reply:
A breakdown on the average length of stay in each public hospital over the last three years is provided in the Appendix. There is no evidence to indicate a consistent downward trend during the period.
In general, the average length of stay is affected by rationalisation of service through hospital clustering or networking, advancement of medical technology, development of ambulatory care or outreach medical services and improved rehabilitation. The supply and demand of hospital beds has no direct relevance in this regard.