Kai Tak Hospital starts first phase of operations, treats 300 patients on day 1

Chief executive of public hospital – positioned to be Hong Kong’s largest – says daily number of patients projected to reach 1,800 by end of year

Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Hospital launched its first phase of operations, treating nearly 300 patients at its family medicine centre on Monday morning, with the daily number projected to reach 1,800 by the end of the year.

While some patients expressed satisfaction about the service, lawmakers called for more frequent connecting transport services and better publicity on transit options.

Positioned to become Hong Kong’s largest public hospital once fully operational, Kai Tak Hospital opened its Family Medicine Integrated Centre on Monday for treating patients with stable chronic conditions and mild one-off illnesses.

Patients began arriving at the specialist outpatient clinic block from 8.30am, while dozens of volunteers in blue vests were stationed along the way to direct them.