Press Releases

13 Jan 2023

Cessation of CUHK Medical Centre Designated Isolation Ward; Continue to support Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts

In accordance with the latest recommendation on infection control measures for COVID-19 issued by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will cease its designated isolation ward starting from 16 January 2023. According to the latest CHP recommendation, COVID-19 patients can be treated in an area with good ventilation, not necessarily in an isolation room. Following the recommendation, CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will convert the designated isolation ward to a general ward. After the conversion, the ward will continue to admit COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals or on self-financed basis. The ward will also admit orthopaedic and medical patients referred from public hospitals in segregated designated areas. In addition, since the number of COVID-19 patients seeking out-patient service is decreasing, the COVID Medical Station will be closed. CUHKMC will continue to provide telemedicine service to the COVID-19 patients in need. Dr. Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer, CUHKMC, said, “The changes are made according to the Government’s latest recommendation on infection control measures. In order to relieve the pressure and burden on public hospitals and offer help in combating the epidemic, CUHKMC will continue to provide support to the Hospital Authority with 32 beds for referred COVID-19 patients and 18 beds for recovering orthopaedic and medical patients. As a member of the health system, CUHKMC will continue to serve the community with professionalism and perseverance as always, and to safeguard health of the public.”

21 Dec 2022

Phase Two Expansion of Jockey Club Kitchee Centre Marks a Greater Capacity and Higher Level of Service

The Opening Ceremony of the Phase Two Expansion of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre was held today to celebrate the completion of the 4-year project by Kitchee Foundation Limited. Recognised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as an “AFC Medical Centre of Excellence”, the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee began operational today along with The Kitchee Bistro, a sports nutrition canteen. They will now serve all professional and youth football players, as well as sports enthusiasts, with the most prestigious level of sports science and nutrition.   Among the distinguished guests were Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan SINGH, Chairman of the AFC Medical Committee, Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, Professor YUNG Shu-hang, Patrick, Professor and Chairman, Department Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, Mr. Ken K. NG, Chairman of Kitchee Foundation, and Dr. C. C. LUK, Chairman of the Kitchee Medical Committee. Mr. Ken K. NG, Chairman of Kitchee Foundation, remarked that the expansion project marked a major breakthrough in Hong Kong football with latest sport science and nutrition innovations. “Despite trials, Kitchee will continue to press forward as a Club and an icon for Hong Kong football. The introduction of new innovations and advanced sciences motivated Kitchee to seize the opportunity to take football into a more professional and scientific level. The Centre will play a stronger role to ensure that young players are in their best condition for every training and match, developing their potential to the fullest to bring glory to Hong Kong.”   Guided by the principles of sports medicine, the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee is operated by the orthopaedics team of the CUHK Medical Centre. It provides treatments for sports-related injuries or musculoskeletal damages using innovative and advanced medical equipment. The Medical Clinic is capable of treating pre-existing sports-related injuries, rehabilitation and injury prevention, as well as providing assessment on players’ physical condition with the help of innovative sports science equipment, enhancing their performance on the pitch. It will also be a hub for the development of sports medicine and sports science by performing data collection and analysis on footballers of different ages for research purposes, which will be used in publication, promotion, and application for sports science.   The CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee was the result of the collaboration between Kitchee Foundation and the CUHK Medical Centre. The soft launch of the Medical Clinic began in June, providing daily support to all Kitchee players, as well as accepting appointments and treating patients who were suffering from sports-related injuries. Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, expected that the Medical Clinic, as a specialised sports medicine centre, would be a landmark for sports development in Hong Kong. “CUHK Medical Centre is a non-profit, private teaching hospital, taking care of the various medical needs in the community. We are honoured to cooperate with Kitchee to advocating sports science to the local community, such that more sports lovers and public members could understand more about sports medicine, injury prevention and enhancement of sports performance. Through the CUHK Medical Clinic@Kitchee, we hope we can help drive the development of sports medicine, while making contributions to the local sports community.”   The Kitchee Bistro is crucial in fulfilling the Club’s vision in practising and promoting sports science and nutrition management. Built upon the values of sports nutrition, The Kitchee Bistro has designed a series of diet plans for players to suit their needs during regular training, match days, and recovery. These diet plans will help all players to get the nutrients desperately needed after vigorous exercise for refuelling, thus increasing performance on the pitch. Young players can learn the importance of a balanced dieting lifestyle, cultivating a diet essential to becoming a professional football player during their developmental phase. This season, The Kitchee Bistro has been providing meals for the First Team, and youth team players who participate in the Premier Youth League, ensuring that all players are well nourished and prepared for matches.   Besides the specialised menu for football players, The Kitchee Bistro has undergone researches and experiments to craft a menu that appeals to both the mouth and the body, finding the balance between taste and nutrition, and is available to the public. Staying true to the Club’s pursuit of a nutritious eating lifestyle, all dishes are reviewed by registered dietitians to ensure that they are both delicious and healthy, creating a low sugar, low oil, and low fat dining experience.   Kitchee Foundation Limited announced the Phase Two Expansion Project for the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre on 28 March 2018. An additional level has been built on top of the Amenity Building, allowing the Centre to house the new facilities. Additional floodresistant measures have also been implemented to allow the Centre to withstand extreme weather. The multi-purpose seminar room on the first floor is well-equipped with multimedia devices for conference use, as well as for the First Team and youth teams to hold their pre-match tactical meetings in the seminar room. The seminar room is also open to the general public upon reservation for activities such as seminars and workshops.

08 Nov 2022

“Be with You - Breast Cancer Patient Support Program”

CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) partners with Roche Hong Kong Limited (Roche) to launch “Be with You - Breast Cancer Patient Support Program” (Program). While the Program is CUHKMC's first medicinal patient support program, it is among many other Roche’s patient support programs in Hong Kong which are operated through the partnering between other non-profit-making organisations, patient support groups and healthcare organisations with other medical practitioners to support patients in need. The Program, jointly supported by CUHKMC and Roche, is launched in November 2022 for a period of three years. Breast cancer patients who are suitable to use the targeted therapy drugs listed in the program, and who meet the required financial condition, are eligible to participate. The degree of support is subject to the treatment plan and patient’s financial status.   For program details, please refer to the website: https://www.cuhkmc.hk/patient-info/patient-support-program 

23 Sep 2022

Human Health Partners with CUHK Medical Centre to Participate in the Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work launched by the Labour Department

Human Health Holdings Limited (“Human Health” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 1419), is pleased to announce that the Actmax Limited (the indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) has been awarded the tender for the 3-year “Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work” (the “Pilot Programme”) launched by the Labour Department and has formed a strategic partnership with CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”) to participate in the Pilot Programme.  The Pilot Programme is rolled out today (23rd September 2022). It aims to provide timely and well-coordinated private out-patient rehabilitation treatment services for injured construction employees who have been absent or are expected to be absent from work for six weeks or more because of the work injury, so as to prevent their injury from developing into chronic illness and facilitate their early recovery and return to work.     The cost of the Pilot Programme is mainly borne by the Government.  Human Health estimates that the total amount involved is approximately HK$310 million. The actual expenditure will depend on factors such as the number of injured employees participating in the Pilot Programme and their service needs. A Work Injury Rehabilitation Office (“WIRO”) is established under the Pilot Programme and the Group is responsible for its daily operations and management. There are over 70 rehabilitation treatment service points across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, to provide greater convenience for participants. The Pilot Programme covers case management services and rehabilitation treatment services including medical treatment (provided by general practitioners, specialists in orthopaedics or specialist in occupational and environmental medicine), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, imaging examination service and electrodiagnostic testing service.  The Labour Department will, based on the reported work injury cases, preliminarily identify suitable injured construction employees and contact them to introduce the Pilot Programme.  The Labour Department will,with the consent of the injured employees, pass their information to WIRO to follow up on the procedures for participation.  Each participant will be followed up and arranged to receive early rehabilitation treatment by a designated case manager.     The strategic partnership formed between Human Health and CUHKMC will synergise Human Health’s mature administrative management experience and strong operation network, with CUHKMC’s professionalism in rehabilitation, as well as clinical quality assurance and personnel training.     Mr. Chan Kin Ping, BBS, JP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Human Health, said, “We are very honored to participate in the Pilot Programme and join hands with CUHKMC through establishing the strategic partnership. Human Health has always been dedicated to providing Hong Kong citizens with diversified and comprehensive professional medical services, and CUHKMC is also experienced in providing quality and transparent medical services to the Hong Kong citizens. We believe that such collaboration will enable both parties to provide high-quality rehabilitation services to the injured construction employees and thereby bringing benefits to both injured employees and employers and the community as a whole. In addition, it is believed that the Pilot Programme will provide foundation for the Group to develop its rehabilitation services and further facilitate the development of the medical services of the Group as well as strengthen its collaboration with the Hong Kong Government.”     Dr. FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHKMC said, “Through this partnership, we hope the injured construction employees can receive timely professional diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, so that they can return to work and resume normal life as early as possible. The Pilot Programme relieves public hospitals’ pressure in work injury treatment and rehabilitation service, and helps promote the concept of ‘early treatment’ among employers and employees, so that both of them will understand the importance of receiving rehabilitation treatment in a timely manner.”  

29 Aug 2022

Mourning Dr Vincent H.C. Cheng

Dr Vincent H.C. Cheng, Senior Adviser and former Member of the Board of Directors of CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) passed away on 28 August 2022, at the age of 74. CUHKMC is profoundly saddened by the passing of Dr Vincent Cheng and conveys its deepest condolences to his family. Dr Vincent Cheng has made remarkable contribution to the long term development of Hong Kong’s medical services. As a visionary leader, Dr Cheng set his goal to improve the local medical services and to pioneer a new healthcare solution for Hong Kong. He spearheaded the establishment of CUHK owned private teaching hospital with determination and enthusiasm. Despite the many challenges along the way, in particular on the financing of the hospital’s construction, Dr Cheng had demonstrated his exemplary perseverance to overcome all obstacles, enabling the successful construction of the hospital. CUHKMC commenced its service to the public in early 2021. Dr FUNG Hong, Chief Executive Officer of CUHKMC expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Vincent Cheng, “Dr Cheng was a great contributor to CUHKMC from the beginning. He had proactively engaged in the development of the hospital by assuming the role as the Director from 2016 to 2021. Then he became Senior Adviser and Committee Member of Fundraising Committee since 2021. During the stage of planning, Dr Cheng persisted his view to keep CUHKMC a non-profit making private hospital, and to immunise the hospital from profit-making oriented investors. Behind all these persistence was no doubt Dr Cheng’s deep passion for CUHKMC. On behalf of the whole team of CUHKMC, I would like to express our gratitude to Dr Cheng’s contributions towards CUHKMC and our deepest condolences to his family.” Dr Vincent Cheng was a New Asia graduate in economics in 1973 and the Vice-President of the second CUHK Student Union. He served as a member of the CUHK Council and of New Asia College’s Board of Trustees. In 2009, he became the first alumnus to assume the position of the University’s Council Chairman. His six-year tenure saw Dr Cheng spearhead a range of major initiatives including preparations for the establishment of five new colleges, CUHK (Shenzhen), and CUHKMC.  Widely-recognised as an eminent leader in the banking and financial sector, Dr Vincent Cheng was the first Chinese Executive Director of HSBC Holdings and the first Chinese Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Dr Cheng also had a distinguished career in public and community service having served as a member of the National Committee of the 11th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice Chairman of the China Banking Association, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Community Chest. He made an impressive contribution to public policy in Hong Kong and served as a member of the Legislative Council, the Executive Council, and many key government committees. He was also seconded to the Hong Kong Government’s Central Policy Unit and served as an adviser to the government. Dr Cheng received numerous awards for his distinguished community service, including the Gold Bauhinia Star awarded by the Government of the HKSAR.  

13 Jul 2022

希愈醫療（新風天域集團） 與香港中文大學醫院 簽訂合作備忘錄 藉協同雙方優勢 為全港以至大灣區市民提供更全面的服務 (Only available in Chinese)

(Press Release Only Available in Chinese)

27 Apr 2022

CUHK Medical Centre shuts down its Designated Stepdown Ward

With the easing of the fifth wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the downward trend of the number of confirmed patients, CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) will officially close its designated isolation ward (stepdown ward) on 27 April 2022 after discussion with Department of Health and Hospital Authority. Following the closure of the stepdown ward, staff will be redeployed back to the general wards to continue to provide services for the public.   Since the outbreak of the fifth wave of the epidemic early this year, Hong Kong had experienced an exponential growth in the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients and mortality, putting immense pressure on the public healthcare system. To help fight the epidemic, CUHKMC launched the stepdown ward to admit COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals on 7 March.   CUHKMC’s stepdown ward provided 24 beds for COVID-19 patients. During the operational period, the stepdown ward treated a total of 42 patients, aged between 61 and 106, referred from NTEC (New Territories East Cluster), KCC (Kowloon Central Cluster), KEC (Kowloon East Cluster) and KWC (Kowloon West Cluster). The 42 patients stayed at the hospital with the average length of stay of 17 days. They were primarily frail elderly persons with chronic illnesses. A total of 3 death cases was recorded and five patients were transferred back to public hospitals due to exacerbating health condition, while one patient was transferred to general ward for continuing nursing care after being tested negative by PRC Test. The rest of the patients were discharged home or returned to residential care homes after recovery.   In addition to admitting the COVID-19 patients, CUHKMC has also set aside another 24 beds for treating non-COVID patients referred from the Hospital Authority under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and charitable donation programmes. These programmes help to further relieve the pressure on public healthcare system and to cope with patients’ needs for urgent treatment and rehabilitation. The 48 beds account for one-third of the total number of beds of CUHKMC.   Dr. Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer, CUHKMC, said, “The raging fifth wave of the epidemic has exerted pressure and burden on both public and private hospitals, where the public healthcare system was in particular excessively overwhelmed. Though CUHKMC was in operation for only more than a year, as a member of the local healthcare industry, we definitely are more than willing to offer help in combating the epidemic, no matter how hard it is. CUHKMC will continue to serve the local community with professionalism and perseverance as always to safeguard all public members’ health.”   With the cessation of the operation of stepdown ward, CUHKMC has immediately arranged for the ward deep cleansing and thorough disinfection. The ventilation system and the negative air pressure will also be adjusted back to normal. It will take about two weeks for the conversion work. Once the ward environment is considered safe and fulfils the infection control standards, the ward will resume to become a general ward for admitting patients as usual.   About Designated Stepdown Ward The designated stepdown ward for treating COVID-19 patients is located in the east wing of the hospital building. With the generous donation of a special funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, necessary enhancement work has been completed in the designated ward, including installation of negative pressure rooms and isolation facilities, so as to meet the required standards of infection control and clinical care. The ventilation system of the stepdown ward has also been adjusted, so that the airflow in the designated area is separated from the rest of the Hospital.   CUHKMC has adopted a “One Building, Two Hospitals” approach to facilitate the admission of COVID-19 patients. The equipment, facilities and daily operation of the designated step-down ward is completely separated from other areas of the Hospital to eliminate the risk of cross-infection and to ensure that other patients and hospital services will not be affected. (For details about the stepdown ward, please refer to the press release issued on 7 March 2022)

08 Mar 2022

CUHK Medical Centre and ADORE Co-launch the First Electric Negative Pressure Health Minibus to Facilitate COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Seniors

  Hong Kong is facing an unprecedentedly challenging COVID-19 outbreak, with the number of confirmed cases reaching record high and increasing number of unvaccinated children and seniors passing away due to infection. To address the raging epidemic situation, CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) and ADORE join hands with other parties to transform locally-invented electric minibuses into the next generation health truck,  “ADORE VaxMobile” (“VaxMobile”), to provide safe and efficient vaccination services to the community, particularly the youths and the elderly.    To Fight the Virus with Technological Innovation  ADORE’s initial objective was to develop a new generation of electric 19-seat minibus to promote the popularisation of electric vehicles in Hong Kong. With funding support from the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Mr. T. F. Lee, ADORE’s Principal Engineer, led the research team of Shui Cheong Motors to co-develop the city’s first Zero Emission Low Platform Electric Vehicle with Swappable Battery Function with the Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre (APAS) of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).    Just as the technology was about to be introduced to the market, Omicron variant started to wreak havoc in Hong Kong, leading to exponential growths of infection tally. Considering this, the team decided to transform the electric minibuses into “ADORE VaxMobile”, equipped with negative pressure rooms, for the city’s much-needed COVID-19 vaccination.       Founder of ADORE Ms. Kimmy Lai said: “We prioritize life and the people over company interests. We are saddened to see children and seniors passing away after contracting the disease. As the developer of two generations of health trucks in Hong Kong, we want to apply our technology and experience to support Hongkongers in the fight against the pandemic.”        CUHKMC was fully engaged in the revamp of “VaxMobile”, providing advice on the vehicle’s layout design, infection control measures and interior facilities, to ensure the vehicle meets the required medical standards. CUHKMC’s healthcare team also provided professional training to the healthcare staff of “VaxMobile” to help ensure the provision of safe and smooth vaccination service.     Dr. Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer, CUHKMC said: “CUHKMC is pleased to be part of this project and to contribute to Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts. In light of the currently severe epidemic situation, with children and the elderly accounting for majority of deaths, it is very crucial to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of severe complications and death after infection.”     It took only two weeks to complete the re-design and market entry process for “VaxMobile”. That’s owing to not only the team’s efforts but also support from various sectors. Among them, Transport Department and other government bureaus have speedily arranged vehicle inspections for licensing, while Asia Insurance and Avo Insurance have offered one-stop risk management services to facilitate the process.       VaxMobile: Wheelchair-accessible, Electric, Mobile Vaccination Vehicles    “VaxMobile” stands out with three unique advantages:  High mobility to carry out fast and efficient mobile outreach vaccination services at various locations across districts: A special low-platform design makes it convenient for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities to get on and off of the vehicle. It is also wheelchair accessible. Many of the city’s schools, estates and the elderly care homes are limited in space, and therefore the upgraded 19-seat minibuses can easily enter crowded streets and care homes to offer services.    Ms. Kimmy Lai said: “All previous versions of mobile testing trucks are not wheelchair-friendly. ADORE has learned from our prior experience of operating mobile health trucks and came up with the new design. It comes with a goal to bringing more love and care to the elderly who rely on wheelchairs, especially those living in care home centres.”      Medical-grade infection control design to guarantee vaccination safety: Each “VaxMobile” comes with three negative pressure vaccination rooms. Each room is facilitated with independent monitoring system which will monitor the negative pressure, temperature and humidity to ensure the air flow control meets medical standards and prevent the risk of cross infection. The vehicle is also equipped with medical refrigerators for COVID-19 vaccine storage so as to avoid deterioration of vaccines and ensure the safety of inoculation.    Zero-emission, pure electric vehicle technology: This is the first time that pure electric vehicles are applied to mobile vaccination units in Hong Kong. “VaxMobile” vehicles have no pipeline emissions and thus will not bring harm to the neighborhood’s air quality even after long-time parking for vaccination.    Vaccination Outreach Services Targeting Schools and Senior Communities  “ADORE VaxMobile” was officially launched on March 4th. Its initial phase of operation will focus on offering outreach COVID-19 vaccination to primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, care homes for elderly and other places.    The team conducted the first outreach campaign at Tai Yuen Estate at Tai Po in the morning of 4 March. More than 380 residents, many of them being the elderly,  received inoculation of BioNTech vaccines during the event. Secretary for the Civil Service Mr. Patrick Nip Tak-kuen also visited the vaccination site at Tai Yuen Estate on the day. Mr. Nip said: “The vaccination vehicles provided by ADORE are converted from electric minibuses and coaches, equipped with negative pressure rooms, HEPA filters, UV-lights for disinfection and up to 25 air changes per hour. Each vehicle is also protected with nano coating to kill germs. Such measures can prevent the risk of infection and protect the safety of the citizens, the medical workers and the staff.” Actress Ms. Susan Tse Suet-sum also showed her support for VaxMobile’s medical staff and the elderly citizens in the vaccination campaign.    As of 7 March, “ADORE VaxMobile” has offered inoculation services to more than 1,300 Hong Kong residents. Apart from reservation arrangements, the team also provide hundreds of same-day, walk-in quotas daily to meet the public’s demand for vaccination.    On 8 March, the “VaxMobile” team visited S.K.H. St. James' Primary School -- the first school participating in the outreach vaccination scheme -- to get more than 100 students and teachers vaccinated. It also took to the Sheng Kung Hui Kindergarten, Sheng Kung Hui St. James Church and St. James' Settlement on the same day to offer outreach vaccination.     So far, at least 21 primary schools or kindergartens have booked outreach vaccination services with “VaxMobile”.     The “VaxMobile” team looks forward to serving more residents in need of vaccine protection with the new technology and helping the Hong Kong public to end the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong. 

07 Mar 2022

CUHK Medical Centre supports Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts by admitting confirmed COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals

Since the outbreak of the fifth wave of the epidemic late last year, Hong Kong is seeing an exponential growth of confirmed COVID-19 cases, putting great pressure on the public healthcare system. To help fight the epidemic, CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) has obtained the approval from the Department of Health to launch a designated isolation ward (step-down ward) to admit COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals. At the present stage, the step-down ward provides 24 beds for recovering COVID-19 patients, aged between 16 and 75. It is hoped that this initiative can help alleviate the pressure on the public healthcare system, allowing public hospitals to re-allocate resources for critically ill patients.   The designated step-down ward is located in the east wing of the Hospital. With the generous donation of a special funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the necessary enhancement work has been completed in the designated ward, such as installation of negative pressure rooms and isolation facilities, so as to meet the required standards of infection control and clinical care.   The ventilation system of the step-down ward has also been enhanced, so that the airflow in the designated area is separated from the rest of the Hospital. Other measures have also been adopted:  additional doors are installed at the entrance of the step-down ward to form a buffer zone which helps stabilize the negative air pressure inside the ward; unidirectional airflow from corridor to cubicle, then exhausting to the outdoor; 12 air changes per hour, non-recirculating; HEPA filters are installed near the exhaust limb of circuit; additional mobile HEPA units are equipped for augmenting the total air change when necessary.   Dr. Hong FUNG, Chief Executive Officer, CUHKMC, said, ‘The raging fifth wave of the epidemic has overwhelmed the capacity of public hospitals and a large number of confirmed patients are still pending for admission. CUHKMC will make every effort to support the Government’s anti-epidemic work. We are grateful for the coordination from the Government and the Hospital Authority, as well as the generous support tendered by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Now we have started admitting recovering COVID-19 patients and hopefully this can help relieve the pressure on the public healthcare system.”   CUHKMC will adopt a “One Building, Two Hospitals” approach to facilitate the admission of COVID-19 patients. The equipment, facilities and daily operation of the designated step-down ward will be completely separated from other areas of the Hospital to eliminate the risk of cross-infection and to ensure that other patients and hospital services will not be affected.   All COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals will be transported to CUHKMC by ambulance and be transferred to the step-down ward through designated route and lift. The step-down ward is well equipped with the necessary medical screening and treatment equipment and devices. The COVID-19 patients will not be able to access other areas of the Hospital or come into contact with other patients during their hospitalization.   When all the COVID-19 patients are discharged and the Hospital is no longer required to admit new COVID-19 patients, the designated step-down ward will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The ventilation system and the negative air pressure will be adjusted back to normal. It will take one to two weeks for the conversion. Once the ward environment is considered safe and fulfils the infection control standards, the ward will resume to become normal ward and admit patients as usual.   CUHKMC will maintain close communication with the Hospital Authority and related authorities to formulate feasible and suitable plans for admitting COVID-19 patients and to ensure that all referral arrangements are carried out in a safe and structured manner.