The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Support), Ms Rebecca Lam Hiu-tong, met with the Director (Quality and Safety) of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr K L Chung today (June 28) for candid and frank exchanges on how to enhance co-operation and communication. Both sides promised to strengthen co-operation in serving members of the public on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.   

     At the meeting, the Police referred to the HA a number of cases in which frontline police officers were being impolitely treated by medical staff at the accident and emergency department (A&E) of hospitals.   

     The HA also reflected to the Police the concerns of their frontline staff at work. Both sides agreed to address the concerns of frontline staff and take appropriate follow-up actions in a positive manner.

     Noting the recent cases were merely isolated incidents, both sides stressed that the long-established relationship between the Police and HA has worked well all along and it was their common goal to provide quality service to the public.

     In order to strengthen communication and cooperation, both sides are actively considering the setting up of a two-tier communication platform. At headquarters level, management of both parties will meet regularly to discuss on policy issues. At district level, police district which has hospital with A&E service will set up a liaison mechanism with the hospital concerned to enhance mutual trust and cooperation.

     The HA has reiterated the importance of setting up police post in hospital, acknowledging that the police officers stationed in police post can greatly assist the medical staff or public seeking medical treatment.

     The Police will continue to review the present arrangement temporarily carried out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Yan Chai Hospital.

Ends/Friday, June 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:46

NNNN