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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) received a generous donation of some HK$253 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to launch the Jockey Club Inpatient Facilities Modernisation Scheme. The project involves the installation of over 6,000 electrically operated beds and more than 520 ceiling hoist systems in phases across public hospitals to provide patients and healthcare staff with a safer and more comfortable environment.
To express its sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HA held a Thank-the-Donor Ceremony at Tuen Mun Hospital today (December 15). The Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Anthony Chow; the HA Chairman, Professor John Leong; and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin, jointly officiated at the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chow said the Club had provided long-standing support to the HA to launch various new projects, which enabled it to provide enhanced healthcare services for residents. "The 6,000-plus electrically operated beds installed account for one-third of such beds in public hospitals, and over 50 per cent of them are in ICU wards," he noted. "We hope that more patients can benefit from this scheme in the future."
In expressing appreciation to the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the ceremony, Professor John Leong said, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been providing strong support to the HA to help us successfully achieve our mission of 'Helping People Stay Healthy'. On behalf of the HA and every patient who benefits, I wish to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generosity."
The new electrically operated beds enable patients and carers to adjust the bed height and angle themselves to facilitate the movement of patients and prevent medical complications such as pneumonia and pressure ulcer due to restricted mobility. A more comfortable and dignified hospitalisation can be provided to patients as their self-mobility is enhanced. "These beds also allow patients who need intensive care, like neurosurgical and ICU patients, to have in-bed X-ray examinations without being transferred to another bed, hence raising the efficiency of treatment."
"The ceiling hoists help healthcare staff lift and transfer patients with enhanced safety. Patients can undertake walking exercises with the assistance of the hoist to facilitate recovery. Both the hoists and the electrically operated beds can reduce occupational injuries of healthcare staff when lifting patients, and strengthen occupational safety in hospitals," Professor Leong added.
The provision of electrically operated beds under the Jockey Club Inpatient Facilities Modernisation Scheme has already been completed at all public hospitals, while the installation of ceiling hoists will be completed in phases by 2017.
Ends/Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:33
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