THE Hospital Authority will launch a pilot project of semi-private beds at Ruttonjee Hospital next week in a bid to identify the demands of the sick.
The project, which will be evaluated in six months, will be used as a guide by the Hospital Authority in assessing whether it will be implemented at other hospitals.
The daily fee of a semi-private bed at Ruttonjee will be $600, which will cover room charges, consultations, meals, drugs and other charges for treatment.
The scheme follows a decision in February by the Executive Council to approve the concept of semi-private beds in principle.
Ruttonjee Hospital chief executive Dr Liu Shao-haei said the semi-private beds aimed to offer patients a choice of greater privacy, convenience and comfort.
Dr Liu said a total of 23 semi-private beds would be provided, with four to five beds per cubicle.
