Demand for hospital services remained high in 2002. There were 1 205 551 discharges, 8 809 100 specialist out-patient attendances and 1 206 716 general out-patient attendances. Accident and emergency departments of major public hospitals had 2 425 444 attendances, or 6 645 per day.

    The international trend has been to focus on the development of ambulatory and community care programmes. In line with this development, starting from 2001–02, the allocation of public funding for public hospital services has been changed from the facility-based approach to a population-based approach so as to encourage the mobilisation of resources from institutions to community settings. The new funding arrangement has facilitated the further development of the Hospital Authority's ambulatory and community outreach programmes.

    Projects in the hospital development programme progressed satisfactorily. Phase I redevelopment of both the Caritas Medical Centre and the Kowloon Hospital was completed. Several other hospitals were undergoing redevelopment or major refurbishment/remodelling.