The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Board discussed and approved at its Administrative and Operational Meeting today (November 17) for Tin Shui Wai Hospital (TSWH) to commence service by phases in the first quarter of 2017. At the initial stage, TSWH will provide specialist out-patient clinic, renal dialysis, allied health, diagnostic radiology, pharmacy, community nursing and daytime accident and emergency (A&E) services.

     The Hospital Chief Executive of TSWH, Dr Deacons Yeung, said that after the HA took over the new hospital building from the Architectural Services Department on September 30 this year, the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC) immediately began a series of preparatory works such as testing and installing medical equipment. It normally takes around six months of preparation from the handover of a new hospital building to service commencement.

     "We understand that residents of Tin Shui Wai are looking forward to the opening of this new hospital. The HA had therefore started preparations, such as procuring medical equipment and recruiting staff, prior to the handover of the hospital building, with an aim to commence service as early as possible. Preparation progress has been satisfactory and ambulatory services including specialist out-patient clinic, renal dialysis, allied health, diagnostic radiology, pharmacy and community nursing are expected to commence first on January 9, 2017.
 
     "According to the current progress, TSWH will commence an 8-hour A&E service on March 15, 2017. In consideration of patient safety, the HA needs more time to prepare for the opening of A&E services to ensure the provision of sufficient support and quality care to emergency patients. As planned, the A&E of TSWH will provide services from 8am to 4pm daily at the initial stage," Dr Yeung added.
 
     TSWH will be under the NTWC, which provides services on a cluster basis. Additional resources will be allocated and manpower will be deployed flexibly to facilitate the service commencement of TSWH. Upon the opening of the new hospital, some patients residing in Tin Shui Wai may no longer need to attend Tuen Mun Hospital and Pok Oi Hospital. The overcrowding situation of the A&E and specialist out-patient clinic of the two hospitals can be relieved at the same time.
 
     "The NTWC will evaluate various factors, such as hospital operations, service demand, patient safety and manpower supply to plan for the commencement schedule of other services afterwards," Dr Yeung said.

Ends/Thursday, November 17, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:30

NNNN