The overall scale and unit size of public hospitals should be strictly controlled, and private authority should be guided properly to build medical institutions, stressed a guidance principle published by the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

According to the document, by 2020, the number of hospitals in China should reach 48,000; of which, 33,000 should be public hospitals, and 15,000 should be private hospitals; the number of hospital beds available per 1,000 permanent residents should reach six. Hospitals at the county level should have 500 beds, city level 800, and provincial level 1,000 beds.

Compared with the previous 1994 version, the new document increased the overall planning principle, scientific planning principle and coordinated development principle. It stressed that all kinds of medical organizations must meet the configuration standard.

The number of public hospitals must be strictly controlled in city centers with abundant medical resources. New medical organizations are encouraged to be established where large populations are located or places with inconvenient transportation.

New public hospitals are encouraged to become specialized hospitals. Recovery and health care services should be promoted.