Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau on Wednesday (June 5) witnessed the accreditation of the first batch of Mainland hospitals under China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version).
Speaking at a press conference launching the accrediation standards held in Qianhai, Shenzhen, the health chief said hospital accreditation is a globally adopted tool to offer them targeted recommendations for improvement through an objective assessment of their performance in various aspects, thereby enhancing the quality of hospital services and safeguarding patients' safety.
"I am pleased to learn that Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou First People's Hospital and University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital form the very first batch of Mainland hospitals accredited under the standards, marking an important milestone in promoting quality healthcare in our country."
Prof Lo pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been responding to the national policy on hospital accreditation in a proactive manner.
He also said the work in relation to implementing the Hospital Accreditation Programme by the Hospital Authority (HA) through the adoption of the standards at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital will be substantially completed by the end of this year.
The HA also plans to extend the program, adopting the relevant standards, to two to three other public hospitals in the coming year.
"The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to actively promote the accreditation of more public hospitals under the standards, with a view to ensuring that the management and service levels as well as healthcare quality of local hospitals are on par with international standards while aligning with the national healthcare service system," Prof Lo added.
The Health Bureau explained that the standards were jointly developed by hospital accreditation experts from Hong Kong and the Mainland based on the national Tier III Class A hospital accreditation standards and in accordance with the requirements of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, while drawing reference from international experience.
The standards are the country's first internationally recognised hospital accreditation standards, it added.
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