Secretary for Health Visits New Kai Tak Hospital, Learning About Preparatory Work Ahead of Opening

Secretary for Health visits Kai Tak Hospital

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation.

Accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee; the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung; and the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung, Professor Lo and Dr Fan visited various facilities in the hospital's Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block and the Oncology Block. These facilities will commence operations in the first phase, covering the Family Medicine Integrated Centre (FMIC), Specialist Out-patient Clinics, the Oncology Day Centre, as well as the Patient Resource Centre, and the visitors were briefed on the relevant services.

Professor Lo said, "KTH will replace Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) as the flagship hospital of the Kowloon Central Cluster, with services covering Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong districts, serving a population of more than 1.8 million. It will become a future healthcare hub in Kowloon, collaborating with other hospitals in the region to further optimise the overall healthcare services in Kowloon. Furthermore, KTH will provide clinical support to the adjacent Hong Kong Children's Hospital, further strengthening the latter's role as a tertiary Centre of Excellence in Paediatrics."

KTH has a total gross floor area of 500 000 square metres with 2 400 beds. KTH will become the largest public hospital in Hong Kong upon full commissioning. The hospital will commence services in two phases, gradually absorbing majority of the clinical services from QEH. The first phase of services including the FMIC will commence in October this year. Specialist out-patient services of the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Neurosurgery, Family Medicine, and Oncology (for selected existing patients), as well as allied health services and the services of the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiotherapy, will also be progressively relocated to the new hospital.

Professor Lo said, "Scheduled to commence services on October 5, the FMIC of KTH will be the first clinical project to be launched at the hospital. It will provide extra family medicine consultation quotas, thereby enhancing diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from chronic and episodic diseases. The FMIC will also provide multidisciplinary care, allied health services, chronic disease prevention and management, patient education, and other supporting services, further strengthening primary healthcare services in Kowloon District."

Professor Lo and Dr Fan also inspected the construction works of the second phase of KTH. The construction progress of the remaining three blocks, namely the Acute Block, the Administration Block, and the Education and Training Block, is on schedule. It is expected that other clinical services, including the Accident and Emergency Department, in-patient and surgery services, will commence in 2028.

To ensure that patients' consultations and treatment remain unaffected during the service relocation period, KTH has established a dedicated team to handle patients' appointment arrangements. In addition to proactively notifying patients by phone, the hospital will send SMS notifications containing the latest consultation location and other relevant details to patients, and mail the updated appointment slips to patients' registered addresses. The HA mobile application "HA Go" will also issue push notifications to remind patients of relevant consultation information three weeks and one day prior to their scheduled appointment date.

For enquiries, members of the public can call the KTH Hotline at 3506 5188. The hotline operates from 10am to 7pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (centre); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (fourth left); the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (fourth right); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (third right); the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung (second right); the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (first right), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (first right), and the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (second right), visit the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Looking on are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (third left), as well as the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (third right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (first left); and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (third right), listening to an introduction by a hospital staff member on a pharmacy at the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block. Looking on are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (second left), as well as the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (front row, second left); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (back row, second right); and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (front row, second right), listening to an introduction by the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (back row, third right), on the Blood Taking Station at the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block. Looking on are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (first row, first right), and the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung (back row, first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (fifth right); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (seventh right); and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (third right), inspecting the ground floor lobby of the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block to understand the real-time bus tracking information provided by the hospital. Also accompanying are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (fourth right); the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung (sixth right); and the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Ombudsman probes Leisure and Cultural Services Department's services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (August 6) announced the launch of a direct investigation operation to examine the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations to align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan's strategic objective of promoting reading for all.

To foster a reading culture and facilitate public access to library services, in addition to 71 static libraries, the LCSD operates 12 mobile libraries in the form of bookmobiles at 112 service points to serve communities without static libraries in the vicinity. In locations with heavy pedestrian flows but distant from public libraries, two Library-on-Wheels bookmobiles travel to different districts and schools as outreach activities. Furthermore, three self-service library stations, one each on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories, provide round-the-clock services such as borrowing and returning services, payments and pickups of reserved library materials. In 2025, mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations recorded about 575 000 visits, with a total of about 396 730 items checked out.

Taking into account the feedback from users, District Councils and stakeholders, the LCSD refines from time to time the services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations to make public library services more convenient for the public. However, the Office notes that mobile library services are occasionally suspended and the usage of service points varies widely. For example, the number of annual visits to mobile libraries in different public housing estates ranges from a few dozen to several thousand, indicating room for improvement in venue selection. The number of school visits by Library-on-Wheels is also low. In addition, there are public opinions that the operating hours and parking sites of mobile libraries do not adequately meet the needs of communities, and there are also calls for more self-service library stations.

The National 15th Five-Year Plan stipulates strengthening the promotion of reading for all and advancing the development of a society steeped in a culture of reading. In February 2026, the promulgation of the Regulation on Promoting Nationwide Reading, the first dedicated legislation on nationwide reading, elevated the promotion of reading to a national strategic level. The Regulation requires establishing an inclusive and efficient promotion system that covers all citizens, cultivating civility, deepening commitment to family and country, and strengthening the spiritual power essential to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Office notes that various Mainland cities have introduced a wide range of measures to promote and facilitate reading, including building an extensive network of self-service library stations, which provide 24-hour services in high-density areas such as residential districts, commercial centres and pedestrian passageways near metro stations; applying advanced technologies such as digital reading, AI and virtual reality to enhance enjoyment and interactivity; and organising diverse and innovative activities to integrate reading into daily lives. The successful experiences of Mainland cities offer a useful reference for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Mr Chan said, "Reading not only enriches the mind of individuals but also consolidates the cultural foundation of society. The National 15th Five-Year Plan and the Regulation on Promoting Nationwide Reading set clear directions and guidance for advancing reading nationwide. Public libraries managed by the LCSD are essential infrastructure for promoting reading for all, while mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations are key components of the library network catering for needs beyond the reach of static libraries. With the promotion of reading elevated to a national strategic level, the LCSD should proactively align with national development strategies by enhancing library services to foster a culture of reading in Hong Kong and contribute to the country's pursuit of cultural strength. In this light, I have decided to launch a direct investigation operation to examine the services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations, covering service planning, facility maintenance, technology applications, service review mechanisms, promotion and publicity initiatives. Where necessary, pertinent recommendations will be made for improvement. As part of the investigation, the Office will explore how these facilities can be leveraged to promote reading among different groups, including secondary and primary school as well as kindergarten students, underprivileged communities and ethnic minorities, so that reading genuinely integrates into everyday life."

The Ombudsman welcomes views from members of the public on this topic. Written submissions should reach the Office of The Ombudsman by September 7:

Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre,168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong

Fax: 2882 8149

Email: di494@ombudsman.hk

Ombudsman probes Leisure and Cultural Services Department's services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Ombudsman probes Leisure and Cultural Services Department's services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Ombudsman probes Leisure and Cultural Services Department's services of mobile libraries, Library-on-Wheels and self-service library stations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases