A working group on primary care will be set up soon to examine the community health centre model, the Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said today.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio talk show, Dr Chow said he will chair the working group and will invite experts and representatives from primary medical care practitioners to join.

He said establishing medical networks of both public and private sectors in different districts will increase the service in general.

Patients will be given more options and save time and money searching for appropriate treatments, he said. There will also be an opportunity to lower treatment costs due to the market supply and demand.

He emphasised the public sector will remain as the "safety net" for all Hong Kong citizens and provide services to those in need.

The Government is identifying suitable sites in different areas to build private hospitals. Dr Chow said these hospitals must have Hong Kong citizens as top service targets to get the land.