Govt Urged To Boost Usage Of Low-cost Hospital Beds

The Ombudsman has urged health authorities to relax restrictions on the transfer of public hospital patients to two private hospitals that offer low-cost beds to Hong Kong residents, to boost occupancy and help relieve the strain on the public healthcare system.

Two unnamed hospitals are required to designate 20 percent of their beds as ‘low-charge’ beds as part of conditions imposed in their land grants.

It’s a way for them to give back to the community in exchange for concessionary premiums.

Patients only have to pay HK$120 for each bed space per day, and have discounts on other hospital fees as well.

But in an earlier investigation conducted by the watchdog in 2012, it found very low usage rates of between 23 and 45 percent.

Since then, things have improved, and now around 70 to 80 percent of the 165 total bed spaces are used.

However, the Ombudsman said they can still do better – especially when it comes to the transfer of public hospital patients to these low-charge beds.

The Hospital Authority can transfer patients only under specific conditions, and only during peak flu seasons or outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Still, the Ombudsman said only a handful of patients have been transferred in the past several years, with one hospital only receiving two patients during two flu surges.

The authority explained that most patients were not suitable for transfer, while a doctor told the Ombudsman that the transfer involves a lot of paper work.

The Ombudsman Winnie Chiu said the HA should consider relaxing current restrictions to cover more patients.

For example, she said some patients whose conditions have stabilised and are ready to be transferred to another ward could be considered as candidates to fill up these low-charge beds.

Chiu also said the authorities shouldn’t shy away from promoting the use of these beds.

She noted that the public doctors may have concerns that such transferrals could spark allegations that they’re promoting private practices, or of collusion.

“I can understand that but the fact is that if nobody knows about it, who’s going to benefit? There are pros and cons and also difficulties in terms of promotion, but it doesn’t mean that it cannot be overcome,” she said.

All permanent residents are eligible for these low-charge beds, provided they are given a reference by their doctor.

The Ombudsman also said health authorities should study other ways to make low-charge beds more appealing.