Chinese Medicine Hospital to launch 24-hour inpatient care

The first phase will add 93 inpatient beds from 11 December.

The Health Bureau and the operator of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) announced the hospital's service expansion plan on 25 August, including the launch of 24-hour inpatient services on 11 December.

The first phase will provide 93 inpatient beds, 20 beds under its Clinical Trial & Research Centre, and two high-dependency beds. By the end of 2030, the hospital will provide a total of 400 beds.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the 24-hour inpatient services will further advance Hong Kong's Chinese medicine services from primary healthcare to secondary and tertiary healthcare services.

Outpatient and day-inpatient services will also expand, with CMHHK's annual outpatient volume expected to increase from 140,000 attendances in its first year to over 260,000 in its second year of operation, whilst day-patient capacity will rise from 25 beds to 35 beds.

Radiological diagnostic and pathology laboratory services will also be strengthened.

The hospital will add 10 special disease programmes in September and November, following the introduction of the Post-stroke Care Programme and Low Back Pain Care Programme in July.

Coverage under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme will be extended to CMHHK's inpatient services starting next year.

Insurance companies will launch Certified Plans (Chinese Medicine), with Standard Plans covering minimum compliance requirements and Flexi Plans offering additional protection.

All insurers participating in the scheme will be required to offer at least one Standard Plan, with products targeted to roll out in phases from March 2027.