500 additional hospital beds, mobile robot and more

Princess Margaret Hospital will step up outpatient services and provide more hospital beds after the construction of a new 14-story building and the renovation of a seven-story block by 2026.

As part of Hospital Authority's first 10-year development plan, the expansion will help add about 500 hospital beds, increase the quota for geriatric day services and introduce orthopedic outpatient services. It is estimated that about 30 more doctors and 200 more nurses will be needed after the expansion.

The existing Lai King Building at the hospital is a seven-story block which provides 268 beds. It is also a geriatric day hospital and mainly provides rehabilitation services.

A new 14-story block will be built next to the existing one, after which all hospital beds will be moved to the new building and their number will increase to more than 800, the chief executive of the Kowloon West Cluster, Law Chun-bon, said.

The new building will also turn into a smart hospital - a mobile robot will be installed to deliver food and bed sheets, and documents and patients' medical records will be digitized.

A specialized gym for physiotherapy will be installed on floors with wards, so patients can use the rehabilitation equipment without having to travel to other floors. A CT scanner will also be installed.

While the new building will mainly provide in-patient services, the existing building will shift its focus to outpatient services after renovation. It is expected to provide an additional quota of 24 or geriatric day service on top of the existing 60.

New orthopedics outpatient services will also be introduced. "Some orthopedic patients who can be treated in day care are still hospitalized because there is insufficient capacity for outpatient services now," Law said. "We hope to provide more rehabilitation services in the day hospital after the expansion."

The expansion is now in phase two, which is site formation and foundation works costing HK$408.4 million, and is set to be completed in 2023. Preparatory work in phase one cost HK$104 million. Construction of the new block will start after foundations are laid and is targeted for completion in 2025.