The newly rebuilt Clinical Block 1 at Queen Mary Hospital was opened in phases starting last year, but only 3 out of the building's 28 elevators are currently operational. Over the past year, the lifts have suffered multiple breakdowns, including sudden drops, malfunctions, and passengers being trapped inside.
Legislative Council member Chan Hoi‑yan today (Aug. 17) criticised the situation on a radio programme, calling it unsatisfactory and warning that it could delay the commissioning of clinical services. However, an engineer suggested that elevator testing and fine‑tuning do require a certain amount of time.
Chan described the problems as "very serious and unsatisfactory", pointing out that the hospital redevelopment project had cost over HK$10 billion and involved nearly ten years of planning and construction, yet the quality of workmanship was "extremely poor". She said the incidents had already delayed the relocation of new clinical facilities, including the emergency department, operating theatres and wards. She expressed concern that even the fourth quarter of this year might not be sufficient to resolve the issues, which would have far‑reaching consequences for patients and healthcare workers. She also noted that the problems had persisted for more than a year, but the relevant authorities had only recently posted about them on social media. She questioned the effectiveness of regulatory oversight and criticised the failure to promptly explain the causes to the public and the Legislative Council.
On the same radio programme, Szeto Ka‑shing, former chairman of the Mechanical, Marine, Naval Architecture and Chemical Engineering Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, explained. He said that the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) issues operation permits for lifts only after safety requirements are met, and that performance testing and fine‑tuning can only begin after a permit has been obtained – the two processes should not be confused. He added that during the fine‑tuning phase, issues such as vibration or alignment deviations during lift travel are difficult to detect immediately; they require repeated dynamic testing and adjustments by engineering staff, so follow‑up work does indeed take time.
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