Preliminary planning of North Lantau Hospital has started, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says, adding the building will be completed by 2010 or 2011.

Dr Chow told legislators today the Government understands the residents' call for the facility.

"According to the general planning standard, an acute hospital will be provided when the population of a district reaches 200,000 people. That said, in view of the unique circumstances of North Lantau, we have given special consideration to the case of North Lantau Hospital," he said.

The tentative plan is to construct the hospital in Tung Chung Areas 13, 22 and 25. As the statutory land uses of the site includes Residential (Group A) and Government, Institution or Community, amendment proposals have been submitted to the Town Planning Board to add hospital use.

Land use amendment gazetted

The board has gazetted the amendment for public consultation. Subject to its approval, the bureau will consult the District Council and the Tung Chung Rural Committee, then a formal application will be submitted to the board and upon approval.

Dr Chow said the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau will then apply for funds and work on the detailed design next year. If the planning proceeds smoothly, funding approval will be sought from the Finance Committee in 2006 and works launched the next year.

He said the administration still has to determine the poject's priority very carefully vis-a-vis other public works projects, but stressed that before completion of the hospital, the bureau will continue to closely monitor Tung Chung residents' needs for medical services.

Taking into consideration of the likely low utilisation rate of any night service, Dr Chow said the bureau is in the meantime planning to extend the evening consultation hours of Tung Chung Health Centre for two hours to midnight. He said the arrangement will last for a period of time before a review is conducted to decide the way forward.