Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ9: Repair and maintenance of hospitals
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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