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In response to media enquiries on the admission arrangements for Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Dr York Chow's father to the first-class ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Press Secretary to the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food said Dr Chow's father was a retired civil servant and his hospital admission arrangements were made in accordance with the established procedures for retired civil servants.
Dr Chow's father was sent to the Accident and Emergency ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 2. He was admitted to the hospital upon advice of the clinician and was sent to the first-class ward. According to the figures of the hospital, the occupancy rate of the first-class ward on that day was around 70 per cent.
The Press Secretary reiterated that the admission of Dr Chow's father to private ward was in line with the established entitlement of retired civil servants. Dr Chow's father had to pay for the fees for in-patient private services.
Civil servants and retired civil servants can stay in different categories of private wards according to their wishes. Whether they would be admitted to the relevant wards are subject to the occupancy rate of the wards. As long as there are beds available in the wards, patients could be transferred to private wards directly from the Accident and Emergency ward without being sent to general wards. In fact, if there are empty rooms or beds in the private wards of public hospitals, anybody could be admitted to these wards directly so long as they pay the in-patient service fees.
"Dr Chow thanks the media for their concern over his father's condition. He hopes the media could allow his family and relatives some private moments to take care of his father," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:02
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