The Health Bureau said today that it will consider the possible consolidation of Hong Kong Island's hospital services into one single cluster.

The bureau is currently working with the Hospital Authority on the Second Hospital Development Plan, which will review the prioritisation of hospital development projects across Hong Kong. In a press release, it said the review will take into consideration the city's population distribution in relation to clusters.

According to projections by the Census & Statistics Department, the population of the Hong Kong Island region will drop slightly by 2041, despite an anticipated increase in Hong Kong's overall population. The proportion of people aged 65 or above will increase.

The bureau said it expects that under a consolidated cluster, existing hospitals treating acute or complex illnesses in the region would all be retained. Therefore, with regard to common illnesses any merged cluster would not cause citizens to have travel to another district for medical consultations or visit to patients.

A merged cluster would also reduce administrative costs and facilitate service co-ordination, thereby enhancing cost effectiveness, the bureau highlighted.

The press release added that the Hospital Authority will optimise service distribution and increase the number of beds and healthcare facilities with regard to estimated local needs, as required. The bureau will also work with the authority to formulate hospital development projects under the plan.