Bringing previous tests to a new doctor in Hong Kong: reports, imaging discs and pathology slides
When you see a new doctor, bring the original images (disc or USB) and pathology material along with the report — it reduces the chance of repeating tests; but whether a test is repeated is decided by the treating doctor for your individual case (Medical Council of Hong Kong, Code of Professional Conduct). eHealth only covers participating Hong Kong institutions, so tests done outside Hong Kong are not shared automatically (eHealth website, October 2026). How to obtain copies from the original institution is in the related guides at the foot of this page.
What should you bring first?
Before seeing a new doctor, it is best to have the items below ready. The "report" and the "original image / material" are two different things, so state which you want when applying (Department of Health, Code of Practice for Private Hospitals, para 3.1.3, July 2026). How to obtain them from the original institution is in how to get your own medical records and images.
| What to bring | Why | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory, radiology and pathology reports | So the new doctor can read the results and may not need to repeat them | Original hospital's medical-records / medical-report office; public via the Hospital Authority |
| Original images (the disc or USB of your X-ray, CT or MRI) | Beyond the report, the new doctor or radiology may need the original images | Original hospital's radiology / records office |
| Pathology slides or blocks (if you have had a biopsy or surgical removal) | A second doctor or pathology may want to review the original tissue | Original hospital's pathology department, usually a separate application (see below) |
| Referral letter, medication list, discharge records | To convey your history, current medicines and what was done | Original treating doctor / clinic |
If I have eHealth, do I still need to bring the report and images myself?
The eHealth mobile app lets you view records in your account that fall within the sharable scope: radiology reports are generally visible in "Investigation Records" 14 days after they are issued (Health Bureau, April 2025), and from March 2026 the "e+Imaging" function lets you view medical images on your phone (Health Bureau, May 2026). For radiology images, the Hospital Authority began sharing in 2021, some private institutions from late 2021, and the Department of Health from mid-2024 (eHealth website, October 2026).
But "being able to view it" and "having a copy to hand to a new doctor" are two different things: to get a copy you still make a data access request to the Electronic Health Record Registration and Enquiry Centre (eHealth website, data-access-request fees last updated 17 October 2024). eHealth also only covers participating Hong Kong institutions, and not every record an institution keeps is deposited (eHealth website, October 2026). So before seeing a new doctor, the safest course is still to bring your own reports and original images.
Disc, USB or an online link for the images?
Original images are usually handed over on a disc or USB drive; some institutions give an online link or QR code. Before you go, confirm with the new clinic or hospital that they can read your format and medium, so it can be opened on the day.
Fees differ by institution: a public hospital charges HK$300 per disc or film (Hospital Authority public-hospital administrative charges, from 1 January 2026); private hospitals have their own fee schedules, with application routes and prices set out in how to get your own medical records and images.
Cancer cases: how are pathology slides and blocks handed over?
The pathology report and the original pathology slides and blocks are different things (the Department of Health's Code of Practice for Private Hospitals, para 3.1.3, lists a patient's records as including reports and films or clinical photographs, July 2026). A second doctor, or the pathology department taking over, sometimes needs to review the original tissue, not only the report.
Slides and blocks are usually kept by the original hospital's pathology department and generally need a separate application; each hospital's application method, whether material is loaned or copied, the handover and the fees all differ. The most accurate step is to ask the original hospital's pathology department which material you need this time and how to get it to the new doctor.
How do I bring tests done in the mainland or overseas to Hong Kong?
Tests done outside Hong Kong do not appear in eHealth automatically (eHealth website, October 2026). Coming from the mainland or overseas to see a new doctor, you likewise bring your own: reports, original images (disc or USB), and for cancer cases the pathology material; a report in Chinese or English can be brought first, and the new doctor can say whether a translation is needed.
The eHealth app's "Personal Folder" lets you deposit medical records you obtained outside Hong Kong yourself; and from January 2026, three designated overseas medical institutions may, with your authorisation, deposit radiology reports and images directly (Health Bureau, January 2026).
Even with everything, might a test still be repeated?
Bringing the reports and original images reduces the chance of a repeat, but it does not guarantee none. Whether a test is repeated is a clinical decision by the treating doctor based on your situation, the image quality and timing (Medical Council of Hong Kong, Code of Professional Conduct). If the new doctor asks to repeat a test, you can ask what they mainly want to learn and how it differs from the earlier one.
Related guides
How to obtain copies of your records, reports and images from the original institution (routes, fees, collecting on someone's behalf): see how to get your own medical records and images.
Transferring between public and private, referral letters and eHealth sharing consent: see transferring between public and private care.
What to prepare before getting a second opinion: see how to prepare for a second opinion.
Registering for eHealth and giving sharing consent: see registering for eHealth.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just bring the report and not the original images?
You can bring the report first, but bringing the original images (disc or USB) too reduces the chance the new doctor asks to repeat a test; for cancer cases the pathology slides or blocks may also need a separate application. Whether to repeat is decided by the treating doctor.
I have eHealth — do I still need to obtain copies myself?
eHealth lets you view reports and images within the sharable scope on your phone, but for a copy to hand to a new doctor you still make a data access request to the Electronic Health Record Registration and Enquiry Centre; tests done outside Hong Kong are not shared automatically (eHealth website, October 2026).
Will a Hong Kong doctor look at a CT or MRI done in the mainland?
You can bring the report and the original images (disc or USB) for the new doctor to consider; whether they are accepted and whether a test is repeated is decided by the treating doctor based on image quality and your individual case (Medical Council of Hong Kong, Code of Professional Conduct).