A senior health official overseeing the opening of Hong Kong's first Chinese medicine hospital said he hopes the project in Tseung Kwan O will become a model of collaboration between the two styles of medicine.

The hospital will commence services in phases from December 11.

Cheung Wai-lun, Project Director of the Chinese Medicine Hospital Project Office, told a radio programme on Sunday that the hospital will recruit cross-disciplinary medical professionals, including physical and speech therapists, and may also hire Western medicine specialists.

He said while there are major differences between Chinese and Western medicine, these differences can be bridged through collaboration.

Cheung said overseas doctors can come to Hong Kong to learn how Chinese medicine can be integrated with western healthcare.

“The biggest challenge is that Chinese medicine practitioners don’t understand Western medicine, and Western medicine practitioners don’t understand Chinese medicine. This isn’t a problem unique to Hong Kong,” he said, adding that practitioners of both disciplines need to work together.

“International medical professionals can come to Hong Kong to observe how we use evidence-based medicine in joint consultations. This will enable them to truly integrate traditional Chinese medicine into their healthcare system.”

Outpatient services for the hospital will start at HK$180 per visit, with the operator describing the fees as affordable.