The completion of Queen Mary Hospital’s new HK$13.5 billion block has been delayed by up to a year due to serious defects in the installation of lifts, with authorities reserving the right to seek compensation from the contractors responsible. The delay has prevented key medical departments from moving into the facility, although some services such as a blood bank and food outlets remain operational.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn on Friday stated that the main contractor, a Paul Y-Able joint venture, along with its lift subcontractor Anlev Elex Elevator, will be held accountable for all costs related to remedial work. Both companies were suspended from bidding for further public works contracts last month. Linn emphasized that these issues would not lead to any increase in public spending for the project.
The problems center on faulty lift installation, with 24 out of the 28 lifts in the 34-storey building deemed unfit for use. The defects include poor workmanship on lift components and dimensional deviations in lift shafts, which cause insufficient clearance and prevent the lifts from operating smoothly. Construction of the hospital block began in 2018 and concluded in 2025, with clinical services originally scheduled to relocate by the end of last year.
The new facility is designed to house critical departments, including accident and emergency, emergency medicine, inpatient wards, diagnostic radiology, a perioperative center, cardiac catheterization laboratories, and intensive care units.
While authorities have withheld full disclosure of all identified issues to avoid compromising their legal position in pursuing claims, Linn noted ongoing review by the Architectural Services Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to assess project management and explore the need for broader regulatory improvements.
Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau expressed disappointment over the delay, urging prompt rectification to minimize impact on healthcare workers. Hospital Authority Chief Executive Libby Lee Ha-yun indicated that although current services remain unaffected, the delay complicates long-term planning, as the facility is intended to meet medium to long-term healthcare needs.
The Development Bureau is engaged in evaluating whether existing systems governing public works require tightening to prevent similar issues in future projects. The situation underscores challenges in large-scale healthcare infrastructure development and the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and fiscal prudence.