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The underlying principle for charging or not charging for this service is that where the certificate or medical report has a direct bearing on the immediate care of the patient, no charge is levied. Where the certificates or medical reports requested have no direct bearing on medical care or treatment of the patient, such as in the case of medical reports issued for legal proceedings, a fee is charged which covers the cost involved in the production of these documents, and is non-profit making.

The total number of medical certificates and reports requiring a fee issued to patients was 25,000 in 1994/95 and 28,000 in 1995/96, with a corresponding income of $11 million and $14 million respectively. The figures in 1991/92, 1992/93 and 1993/94 are not available as they were not collected in those years by the hospitals.

Some of the most common reasons for requesting certificates and medical reports include legal proceedings; immigration applications; insurance or employee compensation claims; and sick leave. The time required to produce such documents is influenced by the level of complexity involved. Simple certificates certifying sick leave are issued on the spot while the compilation of a medical report could take four to six weeks.

Criteria for turning rental flats into flats for sale

Following is a question by the Hon Ip Kwok-him and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is learnt that upon the completion of the redevelopment projects at Kwun Lung Lau and Tanner Hill Estate, the Hong Kong Housing Society (the Society) will put the units of the two housing estates up for sale, as opposed to the existing units in these two housing estates being put to rental use. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of the criteria adopted in permitting the Society to sell the units of the redeveloped Kwun Lung Lau and Tanner Hill Estate?