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Following is a question by the Hon Cyd Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (February 12):
Question:
According to a discussion paper submitted by the Government to the Public Works Subcommittee of this Council in November last year, the Hospital Authority (HA) is managing 42 public hospitals/healthcare institutions, 48 specialist outpatient clinics and 73 general outpatient clinics, which are occupying a total of around 300 buildings. Among these buildings, over 56% of them were completed more than 30 years ago and some are even over 85 years old. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) if it knows whether HA has conducted a comprehensive assessment on the overall maintenance, conservation and redevelopment of the aforesaid buildings; if HA has, of the outcome and details of the assessment; if not, the reasons for that; whether HA has formulated an overall policy on the maintenance, conservation and redevelopment of these buildings; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(2) among the aforesaid buildings, of the respective names of those which are currently classified as Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 historic buildings, and whether it knows the respective details of the annual expenditure budgeted by HA for the maintenance or refurbishment of each of these historic buildings (set out one by one in a table according to their grading)?
Reply:
President,
The healthcare facilities managed by the Hospital Authority (HA) provide comprehensive public healthcare services for the whole community of Hong Kong. These facilities are prone to accelerated deterioration due to constant and heavy utilisation. We will closely monitor the operation of HA public healthcare facilities, plan for and implement repair, renovation and redevelopment projects as appropriate to meet the increasing service demand in the light of service and operational needs and local demand for public healthcare services. We will also improve the existing facilities to conform with the modern standards for medical equipment.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) The HA plans for the provision of hardware facilities in the public healthcare sector having regard to such factors as the growing and ageing population in Hong Kong, the changes in public demand for public healthcare services, the standards required of modern medical equipment and the wear and tear of existing healthcare facilities. The HA also carries out various projects to increase and renew healthcare facilities for the provision of quality services for the public. Over the years, we obtained funding approval of the Legislative Council to carry out a number of capital works such as expansion, redevelopment, reprovisioning and refurbishment of existing hospitals, as well as construction of new hospitals. Apart from this, the HA also conducts annual review of the conditions of the structures and facilities of its public hospitals and, on the basis of the outcome of the annual review, determines the order of priority and estimates of expenditure for implementing various minor maintenance and improvement works in the coming three years.
Every year, the HA provides funding for each hospital cluster to carry out minor works to improve, repair and maintain the structures and facilities of public hospitals. The order of priority and provision for minor maintenance and improvement works are determined on the basis of the outcome of the annual review of the conditions of the hospitals' structures and facilities. Therefore, the annual funding for repair and maintenance for each hospital will be different. Although hospital buildings declared as Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 historic buildings were built many years ago, with the annual review and effective maintenance measures in place, the conditions of their structures and facilities can still meet the operational needs of the hospitals.
(2) Among the structures under the HA, 14 are accorded Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 status. In the three financial years from 2011-12 to 2013-14, the total expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of those 14 historic buildings by the HA is about $44 million. As for 2014-15, the estimated expenditure is about $18.5 million. The relevant information is set out in Annex.
Ends/Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:46
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