XN000022-1997-02-19 — Page 30

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Information on magnetic resonance imaging scanner

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Huang Chen-ya and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Is the Government aware of the following:

(a)

the total number of magnetic resonance imaging scanners in public hospitals and their distribution;

(b)

Reply:

(0)

(d)

(e)

the respective percentages of time when these scanners were in operation, inactive, under maintenance and out of order in the past year;

the average and longest waiting time in-patients and out-patients have to wait for scanning service respectively in the past year;

the number of patients scanned in the past year, together with the number of scannings identified to have been inappropriately utilised; and

of the plans put in place by the Hospital Authority to improve its scanning service?

The Hospital Authority is currently providing three magnetic resonance imaging scanners in Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital to serve the patients in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively. The percentages of time when these scanners were in operation, out of order and under maintenance in the past year are at Annex. Our present plan is to provide two new scanners in Tuen Mun Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital this year, and the sixth one at Kwong Wah Hospital in 1998/99.

The priority of patients referred for magnetic resonance image scanning is determined in the light of their clinical needs. While all emergency cases will be handled immediately, the average waiting time for urgent cases is less than two weeks, while that for non-urgent cases ranges from eight to 24 weeks, depending on prevailing circumstances. The condition of all patients awaiting scanning service will be monitored and assessed to ensure that they are accorded with the necessary medical treatment without delay.

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