Hong Kong announced a plan on Thursday to establish a medical center to provide one-stop service for transsexuals at the Prince of Wales Hospital, according to the Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao.

The Hospital Authority (HA) said it is time to reorganize services in the face of increasing demand and the upcoming retirement of Dr Albert Yuen Wai-cheung, currently the only doctor in Hong Kong performing sex-change operations.

The number of patients seeking help from hospitals has doubled, from 46 in 2008 to 95 last year, due to the growing openness of society, it said.

HA Chief Manager (Quality and Standards) Dr Alexander Chiu said after a two-year psychological assessment, patients have to undergo three to five operations that involve many medical divisions. Currently, only Ruttonjee Hospital can do such operations, he added, saying that the Prince of Wales Hospital will do most transsexual operations in the future and the center will offer comprehensive treatment from various departments.

He also said training will be done for medical staff to provide better services.

Another chief manager said a team has been set up to work out detailed plans and search for surgeons to take over for Yuen after his retirement in 2015.