The Expert Committee is inviting written submissions from the public to provide information on the SARS outbreak.

The committee is focusing on areas of improvement to the healthcare system, the prevention and management of infectious diseases, and lessons to be learned to better prepare the system for any future outbreaks.

The committee's mandate includes the following: 

* To review the work of the Government, including the Hospital Authority, in the management and the control of the outbreak;

* To examine and review the capabilities and structure of the healthcare system in Hong Kong and the organisation and operation of the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority in the prevention and management of infectious diseases such as SARS;

* To identify lessons to be learned, and to make recommendations on areas of improvements in order to better prepare the system for any future outbreaks.

Dr Zhong Nan-shan, Head of the Institute for Respiratory Disease in Guangzhou, and Dr Tang Xiao-ping, Director of No. 8 People Hospital in Guangzhou, will join the Committee's deliberations.

Experts will meet with parties closely involved in the SARS incident and site visits will also be arranged.

The committee will submit a report on their findings and recommendations to the Chief Executive in September 2003.

Written submissions in English should be sent to SARS Expert Committee Secretariat, Room 1808, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, or by fax to 3150-8930, or by e-mail to sars_expertcom@hwfb.gov.hk.

The closing date for submissions is June 30.