Can a medical clinic refuse treatment to a child?

Just a quick query.


Took my 7 year old daughter who had a fever and rash to the Human Health clinic in Tsing Yi tonight as her regular doctor which is literally next door closes early on a Wednesday (which I forgot). Anyway, as she's never been there before they asked me for her ID card. I explained she doesn't have one as she's under 12. They then asked for her passport. I said I didn't have it as after living in HK for 8 years it certainly is not practice to carry around my kids ID cards. I had also driven 20 minutes to get to Tsing Yi so I wasn't able to just duck home and get it. They said no, that she couldn't be seen without ID.


I've never ever had to show ID for my kids at the doctors before. Usually my ID will suffice if any has ever been required. I offered to show my ID and my medical card which is the same as my daughters and still no. They said I needed to prove my daughter was the actual person on the card. Then I said fine, don't worry about the card, let me pay cash for treatment. They still said no! They said she needed ID. She 7 years old for goodness sake!!! Surely, this can't be legal? In all my time in Hong Kong I've never been refused treatment at a medical clinic.


Can anyone advise? Finally found another clinic and they very happily attended to her and she'd never been there before either. I just had to fill out a normal form with name, address etc. But I'm furious that in a city like Hong Kong treatment could be refused to a young child.

Sorry... that should say I don't carry around their passports.

Hi,


After consulting a Dr in a similar clinic we have discovered that sadly clinics such as these are under No Legal obligation to see you if you don't have the required documentation. however as you discovered many will waive that rule.