XN000022-1996-03-27 — Page 31

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Semi-private room pilot scheme in public hospitals

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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Kam-lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As the operation of private hospitals has been affected to a certain extent since the implementation of the semi-private rooms pilot scheme in some public hospitals, will the Government inform this Council:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

what is the response to the pilot scheme since its implementation. and whether the Government will further extend the scheme to all public hospitals; and

whether it has assessed the impact of the scheme on private hospitals; if so, what are the findings; if not, whether it will conduct such an assessment?

The semi-private bed pilot scheme currently operates a total of 65 beds in Ruttonjee, Tsan Yuk, Grantham and Pok Oi hospitals. The occupancy rate for the past twelve months has averaged about 70% and patient satisfaction has been high.

We will be conducting a comprehensive review of the pilot scheme towards the end of this year to determine what role semi-private beds have in the public hospital system. The review will include an assessment of the appropriate level of fees, the number of beds to be introduced and the location/type of hospitals where any future beds should be provided. It will also assess the impact of semi-private beds on private hospitals.

End