Hospital and Development Programmes

Demand for hospital services remained high. In 1998, there were 1 025 000 hospital discharges and deaths and 7 804 000 attendances at out-patient and specialist clinics. Accident and emergency departments of major public hospitals had 2 305 000 attendances - or 6 300 per day.

      Projects in the hospital development programme progressed satisfactorily. The 1 020-bed Tai Po Hospital and the 618-bed North District Hospital came into operation in January and February, respectively. The Tseung Kwan O Hospital and Kowloon Medical Rehabilitation Centre were being built. Several other hospitals and specialist clinics were undergoing redevelopment or major refurbishment.