Hospital Authority's Healthcare Reform Successfully Implemented, Ensuring Smooth Operations Post-New Year Holiday

Hospital Authority successfully implements public healthcare fees and charges reform as public hospitals experience smooth operations on first day

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) has successfully implemented measures under the public healthcare fees and charges reform (fees and charges reform), with all public hospitals operating smoothly today (January 1). The HA has deployed additional manpower across various departments at hospitals to assist patients in need and will continue to monitor operations closely over the coming days to ensure smooth service delivery after the New Year holiday.

The HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, said, "The successful implementation of the reform marks a significant milestone in our public healthcare system. The reform will enhance protection for poor, acute, serious and critical patients, enabling sustainable development of public healthcare services to meet the challenges posed by Hong Kong's aging population. We especially thank all staff for their co-operation in implementing the reform and patients for their understanding of the new arrangements."

As of 2pm, 1982 patients attended the Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) of 18 public hospitals, including 42 critical cases and 82 emergency cases. According to the new fees and charges arrangement, these two categories of patients will have their emergency room charges, previously set at $180, fully exempted. The other cases subject to the new fees and charges arrangement include 854 urgent cases, 968 semi-urgent cases, and 36 non-urgent cases. The average waiting times for semi-urgent and non-urgent cases was 83 minutes.

The regularisation of refund arrangement in A&E has been implemented to provide patients in stable conditions and with mild symptoms with flexibility in choosing alternative medical care. Patient who chooses to leave A&E before doctor consultation can raise a refund request for the A&E charges within 24 hours after registration to claim a refund of $350. Given the need to prioritise treatment for more critical patients, the HA urges patients with mild symptoms to seek treatment at Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs), private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on A&E of public hospitals.

Furthermore, there are 15 FMCs providing public holiday family medicine outpatient services today, offering a total of 1431 consultation quotas. As of 2pm, 487 patients attended these 15 FMCs, of which 4 patients were eligible for medical fee waivers. Overall service usage remains approximately similar to before the implementation of the measures.

The HA Chief Executive, Dr Libby Lee, said, "After the New Year holiday, many clinical departments in public hospitals will resume normal services. We have deployed additional manpower, including service ambassadors, dedicated teams, and volunteers to station at outpatient clinics, shroffs and pharmacies for answering patient inquiries, and assisting with payments, appointments, and applications for medical fee waivers. Hospitals and specialist outpatient clinics have also set up information counters where dedicated staff provide on-site responses to public inquiries."

The HA reminds patients that the fees and charges reform has been implemented. Patients are advised to familiarise themselves with the new fees and charges arrangements before visiting public hospitals or outpatient clinics. Some medical service procedures have also been modified. Every cluster has set up hotlines (see table below) for patients to inquire about the fees and charges reform arrangements (see Annex). Patients can also visit the HA website to learn about the new arrangements.

The Hospital Authority (HA), Photo source: reference image

Hotlines for Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform

Clusters

Hotlines

Hong Kong East Cluster

6460 4303

Hong Kong West Cluster

2255 4177

Kowloon Central Cluster

3506 7198

Kowloon East Cluster

5215 7326

Kowloon West Cluster

3467 7575

New Territories East Cluster

6273 3551

New Territories West Cluster

2468 5353

Service hours: January 2-11, 2026, 8am to 8pm

Applications invited for operating green minibus route

The Transport Department (TD) published a Gazette notice today (January 2) to invite applications for a passenger service licence for the operation of a package ofNew Territories public light bus (scheduled) route (green minibus route) covering one route in total, plying between Fanling North and Kwu Tung North.

Application documents are available free of charge from the following TD offices and the TD website:

• The TD New Territories Regional Office, 7/F, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon;

• The TD Public Light Bus Section, 11/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon;

• The TD Urban Regional Office (Hong Kong), 37/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; and

• The TD Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the TD reminded applicants to refer to the details and requirements of the green minibus route concerned and the "Guidance Notes for Applicants" attached in the application document. They should also follow the guidelines when completing the application form.

Completed application forms and relevant supporting documents must be submitted in a plain envelope sealed and marked on the outside of the envelope with "Application for Passenger Service Licence in respect of the Package of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Route Gazetted in January 2026". They must be placed in the tender box located at the reception counter of the TD Headquarters at 10/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, before noon on February 27, 2026 (Friday). Applications by any other means or late submissions will not be considered.

For enquiries, please call the hotline at 2804 2600.

The Transport Department (TD), Photo source: reference image