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Steering Committee on Review of the Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities established
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     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

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