Hong Kong hospitals to undergo inspections with spotlight on safety following spate of falling objects
- Latest incident involved falling concrete at consultation room in Kwai Chung Hospital on Wednesday
- Specific building structures will be inspected and all mounted medical devices will be checked in the next four weeks
The Hospital Authority said priority would be given to areas with spalling concrete or reported water leakages, often populated by staff and patients and subject to frequent vibration by heavy machines.
Safety in public hospitals has been under the spotlight following a spate of fallen items, with the most recent one happening in the paediatric and adolescent psychiatric unit at Kwai Chung Hospital. Several pieces of concrete fell from the ceiling in a consultation room at around 3.30am on Wednesday. No one was injured.
“The Hospital Authority is very concerned about these incidents,” said Dr Tony Ko Pat-sing, the organisation’s chief executive. “We would like to apologise to patients and colleagues whose safety has possibly been affected by the recent incidents.”
A six-strong expert committee, comprising specialists in engineering, construction and corporate communications, has been formed to review the maintenance of medical equipment and communication between hospitals, the authority’s head office and the public. They are expected to submit recommendations in three months.