The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA), with a donation of $33 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, has recently completed the construction of two lift towers at Kowloon Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital respectively to enhance the barrier free facilities for greater convenience of both patients and visitors.
 
     A ceremony was held today (May 9) at Kowloon Hospital to mark the completion of the new lift tower, which was officiated by the HA Chairman, Professor John Leong; Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Michael Lee; the HA Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin; and the Chairman of the Hospital Governing Committee of Kowloon Hospital and Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Mr Lo Chung-hing.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Leong thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the generous donation to the hospitals. He said the completion of the two lift towers is good news for disabled patients and the elderly, allowing them to access to the hospitals conveniently. He said, "The completion of the lift towers benefits more patients and members of the public, which enables the hospitals to truly become 'the more barrier-free, the more caring and love'."
 
     Also addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said, "The Jockey Club has always put strong emphasis on health and medical development in Hong Kong, working closely with the Hospital Authority. We have been giving support to build facilities in this sector since the 1950s. This Club-funded lift tower is aimed at improving access for patients, visitors and staff, and above all, building a safe and comfortable passageway into the hospital for those with mobility limitations."
 
     The new lift tower at Kowloon Hospital is located at the Argyle Street entrance, which is the main access to the West Wing and Main Building of the hospital. In the past, walking up and down the steep steps was inconvenient for the elderly, the disabled and other patients. With the donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the hospital commenced the improvement works in September 2015 and the lift tower and barrier-free access were put into service in January 2017.
 
     In addition to the lift tower at Kowloon Hospital, the Charities Trust also donated around $11 million for the construction of a lift tower at Princess Margaret Hospital to enhance the barrier-free facilities. Connecting Lai King Hill Road and Princess Margaret Hospital, the lift tower provides convenient access for disabled patients and visitors, allowing them to directly reach the Accident and Emergency Floor without walking up the slope. The tower started operation in February 2017.

Ends/Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:16

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