New Appointments Announced for Hospital Authority Leadership Positions

Hospital Authority announces senior appointments

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced the following senior appointments today (July 24):

Dr Terry Lau Chu-leung will be appointed as Hospital Chief Executive (HCE) of Pok Oi Hospital (POH) and Tin Shui Wai Hospital (TSWH) with effect from August 1, succeeding Dr Chong Yee-hung upon his retirement.

Dr Lau, currently the Deputising HCE of POH and Chief of Service (Accident & Emergency) of POH, TSWH and Tuen Mun Hospital in the New Territories West Cluster (NTWC), is a specialist in emergency medicine by background. Since 2021, he has also served as the Deputy HCE of POH, demonstrating a proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and clinical outcomes. Under his leadership, the NTWC Accident & Emergency Department has achieved a sustained low medical admission rate over the past seven years with a 25 per cent reduction in admissions while maintaining a zero access block. As the cluster co-ordinator for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area, Dr Lau has effectively managed cases of transfer of patients through smooth processing and strong collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

Dr Simon Tang Yiu-hang will be appointed as Cluster Chief Executive of New Territories East Cluster and HCE of Prince of Wales Hospital with effect from August 25.

Dr Tang, a specialist in emergency medicine by background, is a seasoned senior executive with extensive experience in management positions at both the corporate and cluster levels. As the Director of Cluster Services at the HA Head Office since 2022, he has achieved significant outcomes across diverse areas, such as the establishment of the Global Healthcare Professional Recruitment Centre to attract non-locally trained doctors and nurses to the HA, the implementation of new procurement strategies which effectively reduced costs in purchasing medical equipment and drugs, and the acceleration of new drug enlistments into the HA Drug Formulary and safety net.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, Dr Tang played a key leading role in combating the disease by chairing daily morning meetings in the HA to ensure optimal allocation of treatment facilities for patients. He also spearheaded the establishment of the HA TeleHealth platform and drug delivery services to enhance healthcare service accessibility during critical periods.

The Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, congratulate Dr Lau and Dr Tang on their new appointments and wish them every success in taking up the new roles. Mr Fan and Dr Ko also express their appreciation to Dr Chong for his dedicated service over the years and wish him a happy retirement.

Hospital Authority announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 29 days of imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 58-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 22) and seized 1 981 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $8,100, and the duty potential was about $6,500. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases