A working group will be formed to realise recommendations made by the SARS Expert Committee, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says.

The Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food will be responsible for the co-ordination work.

Mr Tung said the group will study the recommendations, set priorities and formulate a timetable.

The committee's co-chairpersons Sir Cyril Chantler and Professor Sian Griffiths, and members Professors Rosie Young and Lee Shiu-hung, have been invited to join a committee to supervise the working group.

The supervisory committee will report to the Chief Executive regularly.

Mr Tung said the experts' report criticises a number of shortcomings in Hong Kong's public health system, infection-control, internal co-ordination, contingency measures, hospital operation and the dissemination of information during the SARS outbreak.

Mr Tung said Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong has accepted the criticism and will take responsibility for the inadequacy in the public health system. He said Dr Yeoh has learned a lesson and will do a better job in future.

Noting that Hong Kong people's bravery is highly praised in the report, Mr Tung stressed that the overall work done by Hong Kong during the outbreak was good and nobody should take responsibility for the whole incident.

Communication and co-operation in infection control with nearby jurisdictions, particularly the Pearl River Delta region, will be enhanced, Mr Tung said, adding that the Government will form an organisation similar to the US' Centres for Disease Control to do the co-ordination job.

Expressing his sympathy to all SARS patients and their families, he urged the community to stay alert and work to prevent any SARS resurgence.

Mr Tung said the Government will try its best to facilitate legislators if they wish to set up an independent committee to do their own investigation.

On arrangements for SARS patients and their families, the Government will carefully study the experts' advice and make appropriate arrangements.

Noting the SARS Experts Committee comprises renowned medical experts from around the world, Mr Tung said the committee is not only reporting to him, but also reporting to the world. He said the committee's investigation was independent, just and fair.