2023

• Private hospitals continued to support the Hospital Authority to fight resurgence of the fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic through reactivation of the Public Private Partnership Program on Inpatient Transfer project, until final subsidence in mid-March.
• A new round of hospital accreditation exercises using the new EQuIP7 standard of ACHS, together with member hospitals supporting new and refresher training workshops of ACHS Assessors were successfully conducted. Two hospitals likewise conducted JCI accreditation. Private hospital representatives also participated in training organized by a new Shenzhen Hospital Research Centre (SHARC) accreditation scheme, meant to be piloted in the Greater Bay Area.
• HKSH Eastern Medical Centre joined as a new member, bringing the total to 14 private hospitals.
• The Association continued to support and contribute ideas to Government healthcare policies through active participation in consultations and multiple committees, including those related to the Primary Healthcare Blueprint – a major policy direction for years to come.

2022

• During the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic's fifth wave, member hospitals pledged an unprecedented commitment of up to 1,000 beds to help alleviate the over-crowding of public hospitals through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) on Inpatient Transfer project and utilization of Low Charge Bed arrangements. Cumulatively, over 4,200 public inpatients occupying around 48,000 bed days were served. The majority were non-COVID convalescent patients while CUHKMC also admitted COVID convalescent patients.
• There were also multiple other initiatives to help the public sector, including other disease-specific PPP programs of the HA, PPP project funded by a philanthropy, and medical support to Community Isolation Facilities, benefiting another over 3,000 public patients. In addition, around 30,000 out-patients from the HA benefited from early CT/MRI service through the PPP radiology imaging programs.
• At the same time, member hospitals on their own treated tens of thousands of COVID positive private out-patients (either onsite or through telemedicine), and hundreds of COVID positive inpatients with their available isolation facilities. Over 2 million shots of COVID vaccinations were also given.
• Despite challenges of the epidemic, member hospitals strove to continue international accreditation programs (ACHS or JCI) through hybrid mode, to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• The Association continued to support Government's healthcare initiatives such as in antimicrobial stewardship, electronic health record sharing, and regulatory standards for private healthcare facilities.

2021

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre joined as new member.
• Member hospitals actively participated in running Community Vaccination Centres from March 2021, offering COVID vaccine injections to citizens.
• Member hospitals participated in electing members to the Medical and Health Services Subsector of the revamped Election Committee of the HKSAR Government.
• Accreditation exercises resumed in hybrid form, with virtual anticipation of overseas Assessors via computers-on-wheels.
• Contributed data to the CHP webpage on Antimicrobial Resistance, and implemented measures to support the Antimicrobial Stewardship program.

2020

• As the COVID-19 epidemic started to spread in Hong Kong in January, all private hospitals instituted stringent screening and infection control measures to protect patients, staff and visitors. The Association closely followed Government policies in the reporting, testing and transfer of suspected cases, contact tracing, and supported the Tier 5 Surveillance program for deep throat saliva testing.
• Member hospitals sent staff to support the Government's Community Testing Scheme for COVID-19 surveillance in the form of swab taking in community centres.
• Member hospitals actively participated in new Public Private Partnership programs to relieve the pressure on the Hospital Authority which was over-burdened by COVID cases.
• The Association played an active role in the Government's Advisory Committee for Regulatory Standards for Private Healthcare Facilities.
• Worked closely with ACHS in developing the EQuIP 7 assessment tool, as well as accreditation cycle changes. Accreditation visits were deferred due to disruption by COVID-19. Two hospitals decided to change to JCI accreditation.

2019

• The Association supported the Government for launching of the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) in April 2019 to improve coverage of citizens in using private healthcare.
• The Association and member hospitals fully cooperated in complying with the new Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap 633) enacted in July 2019, as well as the new Code of Practice for Private Hospitals issued by the Department of Health.
• As the Hospital Authority withdrew its support for the training of ACHS Assessors, member hospitals volunteered additional training opportunities to get the training program going. Member hospitals also shared information on the collection of ACHS Clinical Indicators.
• Provided constructive comments to new market players in the provision of Professional Indemnity Insurance for Doctors vis-a-vis recognition by member hospitals, so as to ensure adequate coverage for the benefit of patients and providers.
• Supported the Government in influenza epidemic contingencies, rationalizing Measles vaccines during outbreak, combating antimicrobial resistance, electronic health record sharing, and promoting organ donation.
• Member hospitals shared experiences and legal advice regarding new situations arising from social unrest, to protect the interest of patients, hospitals and society.

2018

• With contribution from all member hospitals, the government launched the electronic platform on price transparency of private hospitals on 1 February 2018.
• The Association continued to provide suggestions to the government on the proposed Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme.
• The Association expressed concern on the Hospital Authority's decision to suspend ACHS accreditation exercise in all public hospitals, that this might give the impression of different standards to the public. Member hospitals decided to continue with the ACHS scheme.
• Revised the HKPHA Code of Practice to Doctors to include responsibility to provide budget estimates on DH-stipulated procedures, limit clinical practice to privilege granted by individual hospitals, and to participate in mortality and morbidity meetings concerning own patients.
• Participated in a visit to the Greater Bay Area led by the Secretary for Food and Health to learn about their healthcare environment and explore business opportunities.

2017

• Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong joined HKPHA as new member
• Member hospitals adopted the Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Formula Milk and Related Products, and Food Products for Infants & Young Children
• Further review of policy on professional indemnity insurance requirement for doctors in the light of market changes
• ACHS Workshop on EQuIP 6 and specific changes
• ACHS Workshop on Policies and Procedures

2016

• Supporting the government’s Pilot Programme on Price Transparency, member hospitals started providing Fee Schedules for major chargeable items, Historical Bill Sizes statistics, and Budget Estimates for common operations and procedures.
• Participated in the Electronic Health Records Sharing System (eHRSS) of the government.
• Reviewed policy on professional indemnity insurance requirement for doctors following cessation of occurrence-based insurance for Obstetricians by the Medical Protection Society
• Continued participation in the Consultation on Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities
• ACHS Workshop on EQuIP 6 and Quality Manager Training

2015

• Submission to and participation in the Consultation on Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme by the Food & Health Bureau, Hong Kong Government
• Submission to and participation in the Consultation on Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities by the Food & Health Bureau, Hong Kong Government
• Participation in the consultation on Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Programme by the Department of Health
• Collaboration on Promotion of Organ Donation jointly with the Hospital Authority
• ACHS Workshop on Clinical Handover
• Dr. Anthony Lee, Chairman of HKPHA participated in the Tender Assessment Panel of Phase III Hospital Accreditation Scheme in the Hospital Authority
• A total of 18 ACHS local surveyors from private hospitals appointed

2014

• Promulgated an updated PHA Code of Practice for Doctors
• Introduction of new health related technologies by Innovation & Technology Commission (ITC)
• ACHS Workshop on Infection Control
• 3 more private hospitals achieved first award of ACHS Accreditation
• HKPHA representatives participated in the ACHS Working Groups on Review of EQuIP 5 standards

2013

• Seminar on Anti-corruption organized by ICAC
• Introduction of new health related technologies by Innovation & Technology Commission (ITC)
• ACHS Workshop on Quality Documentation
• ACHS Workshop on Care Evaluation

2012

• Collaboration with ICAC consultation on Corruption Prevention Guide for Private Hospitals
• A total of 13 ACHS local surveyors from private hospitals appointed

2011

• Dr. Alan Lau, Chairman of HKPHA participated in the Tender Assessment Panel for Phase II Hospital Accreditation Scheme in the Hospital Authority
• ACHS Workshop on Clinical Indicators
• 6th private hospital achieved first award of ACHS Accreditation

2010

• Trent Accreditation - 6th round
• 5 private hospitals received first award of ACHS Accreditation
• Appointment Ceremony of the first batch of ACHS local surveyors, including 5 from private hospitals
• Dr. Jack Hung and Ms. Manbo Man of HKPHA participated in the Working Group on Evaluation of the Pilot Scheme of Hospital Accreditation
• Issued Corruption Prevention Guidelines in consultation with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
• Updating Consent Form for Surgical / Invasive procedures in consultation with the Department of Health
• ACHS Training Workshop on the ACHS EQuIP 4 Guidelines

2009

• Dr. Alan Lau, Chairman of HKPHA participated in the Tender Assessment Panel for the Pilot Scheme of Hospital Accreditation in the Hospital Authority. The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) was selected as the collaborating accrediting agent.
• HKPHA also decided to participate in the ACHS Accreditation Pilot Programme
• Ms. Manbo Man from HKPHA co-chaired a Task Force on Standards to review and adapt the ACHS EQuIP 4 into the EQuIP 4 Hong Kong Guide
• 1st ACHS Surveyor Induction Workshop conducted with participation from private hospitals

2008

• Promulgated an updated Code of Practice for Visiting Doctors in Private Hospitals
• Trent Accreditation - 5th round
• Dr. Alan Lau, Dr. Anthony Lee, Ms. Manbo Man and Mr. Leonard Yeung from the HKPHA participated in the Steering Committee on Hospital Accreditation of the government

2007

• Trade Exhibition organized by HK Trade Development Council (TDC)

2006

• Participated in the Hong Kong International Medical & Healthcare Fair organized by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC)
• Trent Accreditation - 4th round

2005

• Strategic Planning Workshop organized by HKPHA
• Best Practice Sharing Day - HKPHA Seminar
• Promulgated the updated Code of Practice for Private Hospitals issued by the Department of Health

2004

• Trent Accreditation - 3rd round
• Seminar on Hospital Services: Trent Accreditation & Benchmarking organized in conjunction with Department of Health
• Training course for local Trent surveyors organized by Trent Accreditation Scheme
• Participated in the Trade Exhibition of the HK Trade Development Council (TDC)
• Participated in the Health Care Services Safety and Health Committee organized by the Occupational Safety & Health Council

2003

• Public Private Collaboration during SARS crisis in conjunction with the Hospital Authority
• Participated in the SARS Drill organized by the Hospital Authority
• HKPHA worked with the insurance industry to standardize Health Insurance Contract/ Employee's Compensation after the SARS epidemic.
• Internal Auditor Training Course on ISO 9000

2002

• Consultation with the Hospital Authority on Insurance Service Package
• Information Package on private hospital services for public hospital patients of the Hospital Authority
• Trent Accreditation - 2nd round

2001

• Joint survey with the Consumer Council on Private Hospital Charges
• Joint public consultation with the Consumer Council on Charges and Price Transparency
• Establishment of IT linkage between public hospitals of the Hospital Authority and private hospitals
• Clinical Management Services Seminar for nurses and allied health staff.

2000

• Inauguration of the Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association (HKPHA) in April
• First Round of Trent Accreditation started