Code of Practice for Private Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Maternity ...

Chapter 1
Registration of an Establishment
1.1 The Applicant
1.1.1 In the registration of the establishment, the fitness of the applicant
to carry on the management and the fitness of the establishment is
being considered.
1.1.2 Where the applicant is a person, he/she shall be of integrity and
good character. He/she shall be physically and mentally fit to
operate the establishment. If he/she is personally engaged in the
day-to-day operation of the establishment, he/she shall possess the
qualification, skills and experience necessary to manage the
establishment.
1.1.3 Where the applicant is a company or corporation, the directors of
the company or trustees of a corporation shall be of integrity and
good character and physically and mentally fit to supervise the
operation of the establishment.
1.1.4 The applicant shall fill in an application form and provide
information on the proposed establishment in a manner required
by the Director of Health.
1.2 The Establishment
1.2.1 An establishment is considered fit if the accommodation, staffing,
equipment and facilities are appropriate for the services to be
provided. These include the availability of supporting services in
the establishment. Examples of supporting services are laboratory
services, outpatient services, pharmacy services, imaging
services, catering services and maintenance services.
1.2.2 Under the Ordinance, “hospital” means any establishment for the
care of the sick, injured or infirmed or those who require medical
treatment, including a nursing home. There is no distinction of
hospitals and nursing homes in terms of definition in the
Ordinance. In practice, hospitals are usually taken to mean
premises that provide a comprehensive range of medical services
with overnight beds for the treatment of persons requiring acute or
Code of Practice for Private Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Maternity Homes 12