New arrangements will be implemented in public hospitals from March 26 to standardise procedures for sending birth data to the Immigration Department's Birth Registry. They will apply to all local and non-local mothers giving birth in public hospitals.

The Hospital Authority said the move will encourage patients to settle hospital bills as soon as possible and prioritise resources to improve hospital management.

To comply with legislative requirements, public hospitals have to furnish the birth return of any newborn to the registry within 42 days upon delivery.

Arrangement details

Under the new arrangements, birth returns will be sent to the registry within five weeks of birth, leaving seven working days in advance for the parents to apply for the birth certificate at the registry.

The authority encourages parents to settle medical fees as soon as possible. The birth data of the newborn will be sent to the registry as soon as the fees are fully settled, and the parents can apply for the birth certificate in seven working days after payment.

The authority has already promulgated operational guidelines of the new arrangement to all hospital staff. The new arrangement will be reviewed in three months.