*****************************************************
In response to a number of newspaper reports today (October 24), the Chief Executive of Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Shane Solomon, issued the following statement:
The mother of Mr Solomon was referred by a doctor to Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) for treatment in the evening of October 14 after her arrival in Hong Kong earlier that morning. The patient had an acute leg injury with the risk of complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Her attending doctor at QMH Orthopaedic Department had been briefed by the referring doctor on her condition, so the patient was admitted directly to ward in accordance with established procedures under the status of Non-Eligible Persons of public hospitals.
In view of the acute clinical risk arising from possible DVT, and the patient's plan for a long plane flight again within a few days, the attending doctor ordered an ultrasound examination. The patient's condition became stable after clinical examinations and treatment, thus overnight hospitalisation was not required. Registration could not be completed on the night because some of the personal particulars of the patient were not readily available. The registration of admission was completed retrospectively. This is not unique in hospital practice and also happens in previous admissions of local patients.
The doctor arranged a follow-up consultation for the patient on October 17, during which her condition was assessed to be good and there was no need for further follow-up. According to the normal charging procedure for Non-Eligible Persons, the hospital will issue a bill within one week. Mr Solomon all along expected to receive a bill for his mother's treatment and will settle the payment immediately upon receipt of the hospital bills, which include charges for one-day inpatient treatment and one follow-up consultation.
QMH issued the bill to Mr Solomon for the inpatient charges today. The bill for the out-patient charges will follow upon confirmation of all charging items. The above procedures were consistent with the normal operation and, hence, Mr Solomon expressed regret about the allegation.
Ends/Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:54
NNNN