Done with surgery in Hong Kong, following up in the mainland: which discharge records to get
Before discharge you can ask the ward or your treating doctor for the discharge summary, medication record and follow-up arrangements; for a separate doctor-written medical report you apply separately, at HK$1,100 each in a public hospital (Hospital Authority public-hospital administrative charges, from 1 January 2026). For follow-up in the mainland or elsewhere, the doctor taking over most wants the discharge summary, what medicines were used and the next-step plan; records made outside Hong Kong are not shared automatically on eHealth (eHealth website, October 2026).
What should you collect first before discharge?
At discharge, go through each item with the ward staff or your treating doctor. A private hospital must have a written policy protecting a patient's right to obtain copies of medical records and medical reports (Department of Health, Code of Practice for Private Hospitals, para 12.2.2, July 2026). How to make a formal application for copies is in how to get your own medical records and images.
| What to collect | Why | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge summary | It sets out this diagnosis, the surgery or treatment done and the medicines used — the first thing the next doctor reads | Ward staff / treating doctor, at discharge |
| Medication record and prescription | For the new doctor when you refill or continue medication | Ward / treating doctor / pharmacy |
| Follow-up, suture-removal and review arrangements | So you know when to return, remove sutures, re-image or re-test | Ward / treating doctor |
| Test reports and original images (disc or USB) | To reduce repeat tests after you return | Radiology / records office — see the link below |
| A doctor-written medical report (if the next doctor or insurer asks) | A fuller report beyond the discharge summary, applied for separately and charged separately | Medical-report office; public via the Hospital Authority |
How does a discharge summary differ from a medical report?
A discharge summary is the summary a hospital generally provides when a stay ends; a doctor-written medical report is a separate document applied for and charged separately. The Hospital Authority's fee schedule lists them apart: a certificate and medical report is HK$1,100 each (up to 4 reports charged), and a disc or film is HK$300 each (Hospital Authority public-hospital administrative charges, from 1 January 2026).
If the doctor taking over your follow-up, or your insurer, only needs the discharge summary and copies of reports, a full formal medical report may not be necessary; before applying, ask which one they actually need. Routes, fees and collecting on someone's behalf are in how to get your own medical records and images.
For follow-up in the mainland or elsewhere, Chinese or English reports?
Hong Kong reports in Chinese or English can be brought first, and the doctor taking over can say whether a translation is needed. Bringing the discharge summary, medication record and original images reduces repeats; whether a test is repeated is decided by the treating doctor taking over, for your individual case (Medical Council of Hong Kong, Code of Professional Conduct).
Records made outside Hong Kong do not appear in eHealth automatically (eHealth website, October 2026); conversely, the discharge summary and images you obtain in Hong Kong depend on you to carry them to the next doctor. How images and pathology material are handed over is in bringing previous tests to a new doctor.
How are the next follow-up and medication arranged?
At discharge you can ask your treating doctor: when the next follow-up is, which specialty or doctor will follow up, and where suture removal and re-imaging should be done. If you are returning to the mainland or elsewhere, whether enough medication can be dispensed for the interim is also something to confirm with the treating doctor or pharmacy.
If something feels wrong at home after discharge, who to contact and which situations need A&E are best noted down before you leave.
Related guides
Formally applying for copies of records, reports and images (routes, fees, collecting for someone): see how to get your own medical records and images.
Handing imaging discs and pathology slides to a new doctor: see bringing previous tests to a new doctor.
Identity documents, fees and private deposits for mainland visitors seeing a doctor here: see mainland visitors seeing a doctor in Hong Kong.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for the discharge summary?
A discharge summary is the summary a hospital generally provides when a stay ends; if you later need a reissued copy, or a separate doctor-written medical report, you apply under the institution's fee schedule — a Hospital Authority medical report is HK$1,100 each (Hospital Authority public-hospital administrative charges, from 1 January 2026).
Will the Hong Kong hospital send my records to the mainland for me?
Generally you bring the discharge summary, reports and images yourself; an institution outside Hong Kong cannot see Hong Kong records on eHealth automatically (eHealth website, October 2026). How to apply for copies is in the related guides.