New Hong Kong private hospital touting fixed fees will charge long-term sick an extra 20 per cent
Lawmaker says packages are too expensive to lure patients from overstretched public sector
But the 500-bed hospital, which is partnering with infrastructure and services conglomerate NWS Holdings and the University of Hong Kong, said the types of procedure offered at all-inclusive standard rates would be further expanded to 150, despite a government recommendation that private hospitals need offer only at least 24 procedures under a voluntary scheme launched in October to improve fee transparency.
Price transparency was one of the major attractions of Gleneagles, interim chief executive officer Dr Kelvin Loh said. It will face keen competition in future from two more new private hospitals, in Sha Tin and Clear Water Bay.
A lawmaker felt the packages would still be too costly for many patients, but Loh said: “We expect there will be good demand. The all-inclusive package price is a special and new concept in Hong Kong. It will allow patients peace of mind as they need not worry about uncertain fees.”
Price disputes have often flared at private hospitals in the past, with patients claiming they had not been informed of all potential charges, making it hard for them to budget.
All 11 private hospitals signed up for the voluntary scheme to provide estimates in the hope of increasing price transparency and luring more patients from the overstretched public health system.