Only four lifts operational at Queen Mary Hospital's new clinical block, repairs ongoing until year-end

Only four of the 28 lifts at Queen Mary Hospital’s new clinical block will operate normally following minor repairs, while work must be carried out on the rest until the end of the year, according to Hong Kong’s architectural authorities.

The Architectural Services Department said on Thursday only four lifts serving non‑clinical facilities at the HK$13.5 billion (US$1.72 billion) block were in acceptable condition and would undergo minor repairs later.

The remaining lifts had suffered frequent operational instability and required urgent follow‑up, it added.

The department expected work to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

The block, part of the Pok Fu Lam hospital’s first‑phase redevelopment, was mostly completed last year and began opening in phases last November.

Clinical services have yet to move in, as repeated lift faults – including sudden drops that trapped staff – have kept most of the elevators out of service.

Authorities said last month that the defects emerged during final testing, with installation and performance failing to meet contract standards.