*******************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Professor John Leong, this afternoon (December 29) paid a visit to the front-line health-care staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and United Christian Hospital to understand the latest situation of service demand and manpower arrangements during the current winter surge period, as well as the enhanced measures under the Serious Response Level in public hospitals.
Professor Leong expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the health-care staff who have been serving diligently during the long Christmas holidays. "Our front-line health-care colleagues are devoted relentlessly to safeguarding the health of Hong Kong people, which also demonstrates well the important role of the public health system in the community," Professor Leong remarked.
"Under the current winter surge period, a series of measures have already been put in place to alleviate the workload of our front-line colleagues. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the public for understanding in experiencing a longer waiting time amid the overcrowded situation in public hospitals."
Furthermore, Professor Leong was also briefed on the contingency measures under the current Serious Response Level and is confident that public hospitals are well prepared and ready to respond to the challenges of avian influenza A(H7N9).
Ends/Monday, December 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:53
NNNN