‘Low-charge beds’ in Hong Kong private hospitals underutilised, ombudsman says
- Winnie Chiu says facilities in two private hospitals are not being used to their full capacity
- She urges authorities to review policy on use of ‘low-charge beds’ and step up publicity so people know what they are entitled to
“Low-charge beds” provided by two Hong Kong private hospitals as part of their duty to help alleviate the burden of public hospitals are lying underutilised, according to the ombudsman.
The usage rate of such facilities in one private hospital ranged between 41 and 67 per cent over the past six years. At the other hospital, it ranged from 67 to 81 per cent, which was higher than the overall usage rate of its beds during the period.
The government watchdog called on authorities to review their policy on the use of these beds and step up publicity about the facilities.
“The purpose is really to serve the public so that [they] have the opportunity to use these hospital beds at a lower charge. This is also a social responsibility of the two hospitals that got the land grant under favourable conditions,” said Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin, releasing an investigation report on Thursday.
While the ombudsman did not name the two hospitals, the Post earlier reported that at least 20 per cent of beds provided by Hong Kong Adventist Hospital in Tsuen Wan and St Teresa’s Hospital in Kowloon City should be set aside for permanent Hong Kong residents at rates similar to those charged by public hospitals for their third-class beds (HK$120 per day), according to the land-lease conditions.