Press Releases
Steering Committee on Review of the Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities established
The Government today (October 11) announced the setting up of a steering
committee to conduct a review on the regulatory regime for private
healthcare facilities in Hong Kong. The review will cover two ordinances,
namely the Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Maternity Homes Registration
Ordinance (Cap. 165) and the Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap. 343), in which
private hospitals, nursing homes and non-profit-making clinics are covered.
The aim of the review is to strengthen regulatory control of private
healthcare facilities in order to safeguard people's health.
The Steering Committee will put forward recommendations on the regulatory
approach and scheme for private healthcare facilities, taking into account
views from various sectors of society. In conducting the review, reference
will be made to regulatory frameworks in overseas jurisdictions and the
international trend for safeguarding patient interests, while taking into
account the local circumstances of private healthcare services and the
demands and expectations of the public at large. The Government will review
the scope of regulation of private healthcare facilities, including whether
to cover private healthcare facilities other than private hospitals, nursing
homes and non-profit-making clinics in the regulatory regime, and also study
whether to place any premises which conduct high-risk medical
treatments/procedures under regulatory control in order to safeguard
people's health.
The Steering Committee is chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr
Ko Wing-man, and comprises 16 non-official members and four ex-officio
members. Non-official members of the Steering Committee comprise people from
a wide range of backgrounds and interests, including the trade, academia,
regulatory bodies, patient groups and civil societies. Ex-officio members
include representatives from the Food and Health Bureau, the Department of
Health and the Hospital Authority. The appointments will take immediate
effect and end upon the completion of the review.
"I would like to thank all members for accepting the challenge of this
important mission. I look forward to working with them for the betterment of
our healthcare system. With their wealth of experience in the healthcare
field and public service, I believe that members of the Steering Committee
would contribute to the formulation of constructive recommendations in the
overall public interest," Dr Ko said.
Currently some of the local private healthcare facilities are required to
register with the Department of Health under the Hospital, Nursing Homes and
Maternity Homes Registration Ordinance and the Medical Clinics Ordinance,
and are thus subject to the regulations on accommodation, staffing and
equipment. The two ordinances were enacted in 1936 and 1963 respectively,
and no major revision has been introduced to them since 1966. With the rapid
development of medical technology, the private healthcare sector has
undergone significant changes over the past 40-plus years. Moreover, there
have been public concerns about pricing, transparency and service quality of
private healthcare institutions in recent years. Given that the existing
legislation falls short of meeting public expectations, there is a genuine
need for the Government to review the relevant legislations.
Dr Ko said, "The strategic review is part of a three-pronged action plan to
take forward healthcare reform initiatives based on the outcome of the
Second Stage Public Consultation on Healthcare Reform. As a core element of
facilitation of healthcare service development, which is one of the
three-pronged action plans, the review aims at enhancing the quality and
transparency of private healthcare services, as well as better protecting
patients' rights and safety. An improved regulatory regime would provide
greater assurance to those who prefer and could afford to use private
healthcare services, and help enhance the long-term sustainability of our
healthcare system."
The review on the regulatory regime for private healthcare facilities is
expected to complete within a year. The Government would then consult the
public on the proposal put forward by the Steering Committee. Subject to the
views from the trade and public, the Government would consider commencing
the relevant legislative process. The Government would brief the Legislative
Council Panel on Health Services on the review next month and solicit views
from Legislative Council Members.
The following is the membership list of the Steering Committee:
Chairman
Secretary for Food and Health
Members
Ms Jasminia Kristine Cheung
Professor Fok Tai-fai
Dr Samuel Kwok Po-yin
Mr Andy Lau Kwok-fai
Ms Connie Lau Yin-hing
Professor Joseph Lau Wan-yee
Dr Anthony Lee Kai-yiu
Professor Lee Sum-ping
Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man
Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen
Dr Susie Lum Shun-sui
Professor Samantha Pang Mei-che
Dr Tse Hung-hing
Dr Homer Tso Wei-kwok
Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee
Dr Yeung Chiu-fat
Ex-officio Members
Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health)
Director of Health
Chief Executive, Hospital Authority
Head of Healthcare Planning and Development Office, Food and Health Bureau
Ends/Thursday, October 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:07
NNNN