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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Leung Pak-yin, made the following statement today (October 5) regarding a public complaint on the death of a patient after undergoing a cervical spine surgery at Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH):
"I have been kept informed and showing concern about the patient case since it happened. I have instructed TMH to seriously investigate the case and provide whatever assistance and support as required by the family members of the deceased patient.
"I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr and Mrs Cheung over the loss of their beloved son. I pledge that the hospital would continue to provide the necessary assistance and support to the family. Arrangements are being made for me to meet the parents later to listen to and understand their concern.
"According to the progress report from the management of TMH, the meeting on October 3 was mainly arranged for providing to the parents a full chronological account of the incident. Regarding the independent overseas expert assessment report, it is still on-going and not yet completed. I expect the assessment report would be ready soon. By then, the hospital will arrange to meet the parents again to explain the result of the independent assessment as well as providing a copy of the report as requested.
"On the other hand, I also noted that TMH has earlier referred the patient case to the Coroner with a view to obtaining an objective verdict on the cause of death of the patient through a fair and open judicial process."
Ends/Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:45
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