*********************************
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, after attending a radio programme this morning (June 19):
Reporter: (On closure arrangements of the Hong Kong Central Hospital.)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have tried to negotiate with the hospital regarding any possibility of relocation over the years but, unfortunately, there is limited space and possibility within the Hospital Authority. So, I think the Hong Kong Central Hospital has to find different ways of solving its own problem. Since the hospital is only having about 80 beds and most of the time they are carrying out ambulatory procedures and surgeries, the number of patients affected would not be very large and the patients could be absorbed by other private hospitals. The only party that would affect will be the doctors who formed the syndicate managing the Hong Kong Central Hospital.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:48
NNNN
