Government Orders Contractor to Expedite Repairs as Only 4 of 28 Queen Mary Hospital Elevators Function
RTHK · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Architectural Services Department has instructed the main contractor and elevator subcontractor to expedite remedial work at Queen Mary Hospital's newly rebuilt Clinical Block 1, where only 4 of 28 elevators are currently operational. Multiple malfunctions over the past year, including sudden drops that trapped hospital staff, have delayed the opening of clinical services in the building. The government has reserved the right to seek compensation for losses arising from the construction delays.
Key Points
- Queen Mary Hospital's Clinical Block 1 has 28 elevators, with only 4 currently operational
- The remaining 24 elevators display notices indicating maintenance suspension until further notice
- Notices dated April 2 indicate these elevators have been out of service for at least four months
- Seven elevator incidents involving contractor An Lik Elevator Company were reported to EMSD from July 2024 to June 2025
- An elevator technician died last July after being trapped in a Clinical Block 1 elevator shaft and was hospitalized before passing away
- Remedial work is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year
- The main construction cost totaled HK$13.5 billion at prices at time of payment
- Only pathology, blood bank, and auxiliary facilities like restaurants and convenience stores have opened; clinical departments have yet to relocate
Why It Matters
The prolonged elevator failures have prevented the hospital from commencing clinical services in its newly rebuilt facility, effectively delaying the much-needed expansion of healthcare capacity in the West Cluster. The death of an elevator technician and repeated malfunctions also raise concerns about construction quality and workplace safety standards in public infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars.
The prolonged elevator failures have prevented the hospital from commencing clinical services in its newly rebuilt facility, effectively delaying the much-needed expansion of healthcare capacity in the West Cluster. The death of an elevator technician and repeated malfunctions also raise concerns about construction quality and workplace safety standards in public infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars.