Hong Kong's New Chinese Medicine Hospital Launches Outpatient Services Amid High Public Demand

2025-12-11 14:42 Last Updated At：18:27

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video)

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) commenced operations in phases today (December 11), offering outpatient and day-patient services, fully launching six specialised Chinese medicine (CM) services, along with 12 special disease programmes in the first year. In response to the keen public demand for government-subsidised outpatient services, the hospital will increase the quota for the members of the public to book government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month after the service commencement.

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The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong commences operations today and increases quota for subsidised general outpatient services in first month to meet keen demand (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The service commencement of CMHHK marks a significant milestone in the development of CM in our city, signifying the progression of Hong Kong's CM to go beyond primary healthcare and play a part in secondary and tertiary healthcare services. I look forward to CMHHK providing more comprehensive CM services to the members of the public, and developing a 'Hong Kong model' for pure CM, services with CM playing the predominant role and integrated Chinese-Western medicine (ICWM) services. It will also dovetail with the upcoming CM Development Blueprint to be announced by the Government, to foster a high-quality and high-standard development of CM on all fronts, thereby providing powerful impetus for CM to go global."

CMHHK began accepting appointments last month. In view of the overwhelming response, the quota for government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month is already full. Professor Lo said, "In response to the keen public demand, we have requested the hospital to increase the quota for government-subsidised general outpatient services in the first month after service commencement for members of the public to make appointments. Specifically, the service quota in the first 10 days of operation has been doubled. For the remaining days of the first month upon service commencement, the service quota has also been increased by an additional 30 per cent starting today. Apart from subsidised outpatient services, patients may also make appointments for the non-subsidised outpatient clinic, where they can select their preferred CM practitioners."

Today, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMHHK Operator, Mr Wong Kwai-huen, accompanied by the Hospital Chief Executive of CMHHK, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, inspected the hospital's first day of operation which was generally smooth.

In the first year, the hospital will provide outpatient and day-patient services and fully launch six specialised CM services, namely Internal Medicine in CM, External Medicine in CM, Gynaecology in CM, Paediatrics in CM, Orthopaedics and Traumatology in CM, and Acupuncture and Moxibustion in CM. It will also provide 12 special disease programmes, including those for elderly degenerative diseases and stroke rehabilitation. The services of CMHHK will feature four highlights: (i) adhering to the principle of "pursuing specialty in specialised CM services and exceling in special disease programmes", the hospital will pool talent, experience, knowledge and techniques to focus on the development of key areas where CM has distinct advantages, offering effective treatment outcomes for members of the public; (ii) actively develop an ICWM service model, combining the strengths of both Chinese and Western medicines to formulate treatment plans, supplemented by multidisciplinary healthcare teams, thereby providing comprehensive and optimal clinical support for patients; (iii) bring together an elite team of Hong Kong, Mainland, and international CM expert teams across multiple disciplines at the hospital to participate in short-term services, training, and research, leveraging their outstanding capabilities to provide services to members of the public; and (iv) uphold the traditional CM philosophy of "treatment based on pattern differentiation". Through providing wholehearted services together with professional and precise analysis, the hospital will tailor-make personalised care services for patients to resolve their health problems.To demonstrate the Government's commitment to public health, 65 per cent of the hospital's total service volume are Government-subsidised services. The hospital will also provide market-oriented services to foster positive interaction between the hospital and private market. Members of the public can visit the hospital website (www.cmhhk.org.hk) for more information on the hospital services.

Apart from the hospital hotline (3121 3121) and website, members of the public can also make appointments through the newly launched "CMHHK Mobile App". After downloading the app and completing registration with basic personal information, users can make appointments at either the government-subsidised outpatient clinic or the non-subsidised outpatient clinic. For those seeking appointments at the Specialised Clinic, patients can first make an appointment at the General Clinic for an initial assessment, or they can directly upload a referral letter from a registered CM practitioner, medical practitioner, or other registered healthcare professional (such as nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals).

In addition, CMHHK will provide medical fee waivers to the victims of the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire. All residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers) and all individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority will receive full fee waivers at CMHHK until December 31, 2026, covering all government-subsidised services, including General Clinic, Specialised Clinic, Allied Health Services, day-patient services, as well as special Western medicine diagnostic procedures and medications (discharge medication collection). Relevant individuals can identify themselves to the hospital and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) during consultations to facilitate the arrangement.

To facilitate public access, CMHHK will provide free shuttle services between Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station, LOHAS Park Station, and the hospital's main entrance. The Transport Department has co-ordinated with public transport operators to enhance services to the hospital area, including a new minibus route 116H connecting Tseung Kwan O Station and the hospital's main entrance. Also, eight franchised bus routes and one green minibus route will add stops on Pak Shing Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, with the hospital accessible after a short walk from these stops.

CMHHK will hold open days on January 17 and 18, 2026, for the public to better understand the hospital's services and mode of operation. Reservations can be made online through the hospital's websitestarting today.

Located at 1 Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, CMHHK adopts a public-private partnership model with its construction fully funded by the Government. Hong Kong Baptist University was selected as the contractor through tendering procedures in 2021 and it subsequently incorporated a company limited by guarantee in the same year in accordance with the service deed to act as the operator for managing, operating, and maintaining the hospital.

Buildings Department Relaunches Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.

Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.

The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:

(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.

(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.

"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.

Hong Kong's New Chinese Medicine Hospital Launches Outpatient Services Amid High Public Demand

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