$40 acceptable for emergency care, say patients

Patients said yesterday they would only be willing to pay about $40 a time for visits to accident and emergency units.

The Hospital Authority is considering charging fees comparable to those of private hospitals' 24-hour clinics for use of emergency units.

Two private hospitals, the Adventist and Matilda, charge $800 and $880 respectively for an emergency consultation after midnight.

Other private hospitals charge between $150 and $500 for general outpatient treatment, depending on the time.

Tiu Kwing-yee, who sought emergency services at Prince of Wales Hospital yesterday, agreed that charges should be imposed.

'I came here today because I feel so sick after an operation to remove kidney stones,' the elderly man said.