The Hospital Authority and the Caritas Medical Centre have noted the Coroner's Court's findings and the jury's recommendations regarding a man who collapsed and died near the hospital in 2008.

The court ruled today the man died of natural causes. The authority expressed condolences to his family and said it will study the verdict and recommendations.

Following an investigation into the incident, it said improvement measures have been implemented to enhance the contingency mechanism and arrangements, including promulgating a set of general principles for handling people requiring emergency medical assistance in the vicinity of public hospitals and clinics.

Special medical equipment has been installed to tie in with the new contingency response measures, including 216 additional portable automated external defibrillators in public hospitals, clinics and key reception areas. Specific training has been given to 3,000 hospital staff on using the defibrillators.

Directional road signs for accident and emergency departments have been upgraded.

Measures also implemented by the centre include:

* an enhanced response activation plan to cater to requests for urgent help within the hospital or its vicinity;

* providing five sets of portable automatic external defibrillators within hospital premises and resuscitation training to all hospital staff;

* installing in the A&E department a display system, extra communications equipment and a direct emergency extension telephone line to enhance its services;

* more A&E manpower; and,

* encouraging staff to participate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming training courses to improve communication skills.