Contractors to Cover Full Repair Costs for Faulty Elevators at Queen Mary Hospital
HKFP · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn confirmed on Tuesday that government contractors will bear the full repair costs for structural defects in the elevator shafts of Clinical Block 1 at Queen Mary Hospital, the largest public hospital on Hong Kong Island. Linn stated that the external walls of the building's elevator shafts contain structural "errors" that may have left insufficient room for elevators to operate smoothly, with some lift components installed improperly . The government reserves the right to seek compensation from the contractors and subcontractors responsible for the defective work . Linn defended the piecemeal disclosure process employed by government departments, stating that full transparency at this stage could affect future legal claims .
Key Points
- Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn confirmed structural errors exist in elevator shaft external walls at Queen Mary Hospital's Clinical Block 1
- The new elevator shafts were reportedly built with a "rhombus" shape, likened to Italy's Tower of Pisa, leaving insufficient room for elevator operation
- Some lift components were installed improperly, contributing to the operational deficiencies in the redeveloped building
- Contractors expressed confidence that defects can be repaired and fixed in the final quarter of 2026
- The Architectural Services Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department have faced criticism for lack of transparency regarding the defects
Why It Matters
This incident highlights potential accountability gaps in government-managed construction projects, as the defective work has delayed the reopening of a major healthcare facility serving Hong Kong Island's population. Linn's assertion that early transparency could compromise compensation claims raises questions about balancing public accountability with legal protections in infrastructure development .
This incident highlights potential accountability gaps in government-managed construction projects, as the defective work has delayed the reopening of a major healthcare facility serving Hong Kong Island's population. Linn's assertion that early transparency could compromise compensation claims raises questions about balancing public accountability with legal protections in infrastructure development .