Latest news with #TheConsumerCouncil
RTHK
a day ago
- Health
- RTHK
Watchdog calls for more transparency with telehealth
Watchdog calls for more transparency with telehealth The Consumer Council on Tuesday said telehealth service providers should enhance transparency to boost patients' trust in virtual consultations. This came as the watchdog found that a majority of the 19 service providers it reviewed did not clearly state the refund arrangements for patients deemed unsuitable for virtual consultations. Many of them also did not have a common standard on illnesses suitable for telehealth services. The council's chairman, Clement Chan, said clear information such as the fees charged is crucial to consumers. "The clarity of information on the telehealth website provided by different providers is of importance to the consumers when they make decisions on choosing which doctors they should go for," he said. "Then they would be able to make informed decisions if the information about pricing and specialty of the doctor is more clear." He went on to say that most of the related complaints the council received between 2022 and June this year were caused by the non-delivery of services and refund arrangements. By surveying users and private medical practitioners offering telehealth services, the watchdog found that both parties were concerned about privacy. For instance, they were worried that consultations conducted on platforms such as WhatsApp could be tracked. In this regard, the council suggested traders and communication platforms set up a whitelist. Chan noted while telehealth services are currently at an initial stage in Hong Kong, usage is expected to rise, particularly due to the ageing population. "Also with the advancement of technology, I think people will be inclined to use more on the telehealth in order to save time for travelling, for taking time out to go to consult a doctor," he said. The chairman added that the government should educate the public on how to use virtual consultations and always verify the identity of service providers to avoid getting scammed.
RTHK
15-07-2025
- Health
- RTHK
Be cautious when buying children's raincoats: watchdog
Be cautious when buying children's raincoats: watchdog The Consumer Council tested 14 raincoats and ponchos labelled as suitable for children aged 3 to 7. Photo: RTHK The Consumer Council on Tuesday urged parents to be more vigilant when purchasing children's raincoats, after some were found to contain harmful chemicals exceeding international safety standards. The watchdog put out the advisory following tests on 14 raincoats and ponchos labelled as suitable for children between 110cm and 130cm tall, or aged 3 to 7. It found that two models contained phthalates – chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable – that exceeded European standards, with the worst case surpassing the limit by 11 times. The two brands involved are and One. The watchdog said the risk of absorbing phthalates is normally low but warned that the use of sunscreen, wounds on the skin and having eczema could increase such a risk. It said absorbing the hazardous chemical may disrupt children's endocrine system and even affect their reproductive health. The product was also found to contain lead levels exceeding US regulatory limits. Additionally, the council found that raincoats from three brands – Kocotree, Smart Angel, and One – had cords and drawstrings that failed to meet European safety standards, posing a higher risk of strangulation. 'We suggest manufacturers to review their product materials and change to materials that do not have such hazardous chemicals,' Angel Cheung, the council's director of research and survey, said. 'For physical safety, we suggest manufacturers review their design of raincoats and ponchos to avoid having long drawstrings and cords to safeguard children safety and health.' In response to the report, submitted its own test results to the council, saying they did not find any abnormalities in their products but had suspended sales.
South China Morning Post
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Coldplay in Hong Kong: watchdog receives 114 complaints over blocked views
Hong Kong's consumer watchdog has received more than 100 complaints from concertgoers over obstructed views at Coldplay's recent shows in the city. Advertisement The Consumer Council said the number of complaints related to blocked views at the four-night concert series reached 114 by 5pm on Wednesday. Gilly Wong Fung-han, the organisation's chief executive, said the cost of the tickets involved in the complaints was typically HK$2,099 (US$270) per person, with the complainants largely falling into two categories. 'One group were not told that their views were obstructed when purchasing their tickets … but when they checked their tickets closer to the performance, they found out that it had 'obstructed views' written on it, so they feel they were scammed or that something was omitted,' she told a radio programme. 'Another group were aware when they bought the tickets that their views would be obstructed as it was stated on their ticket, but when they got to the venue, they realised the obstruction was much more serious than they imagined.' Advertisement Coldplay performed four shows at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium between April 8 to 12, with organisers saying about 200,000 people were in attendance.
