Queen Elizabeth Hospital converted to designated hospital
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The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (March 13) that Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Kowloon Central Cluster (KCC) has been converted to a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients and the process went smoothly. Most of the non-COVID-19 patients staying in the wards located at main blocks have been discharged, or transferred to public or private hospitals according to their clinical conditions, so as to vacate the beds for admitting serious COVID-19 patients. Individual patients who are unfit for transfer would stay in QEH for treatment.
To complement the operation of designated hospital, the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) of QEH will only admit serious COVID-19 patients, life threatening and pregnant lady ambulance cases. QEH strongly appeals to COVID-19 patients without or with mild symptoms to avoid attending its A&E. These patients will not be arranged for admission to the hospital. COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, who have medical need are advised to make appointment for consultation at designated clinics. The hospital will reserve a certain number of beds as a buffer to receive non-COVID-19 emergency cases.
"The conversion of QEH to designated hospital for COVID-19 patients will provide around 1 300 beds for severe COVID-19 patients. The measure can help concentrate manpower and resources to manage patients upon the severe epidemic situation. Counting on the Central Authorities' strong support for Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Government and HA will continue to adhere to the epidemic control strategy of 'reducing death, reducing severe cases and reducing transmission', and to strengthen the capability in treatment in public hospitals," the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan said.
The Cluster Chief Executive of KCC, Dr Eric Cheung, said, "Converting QEH to a COVID-19 designated hospital within a few days is an unprecedented challenge and the task can only be achieved by seamless inter-departmental cooperation. Meanwhile, I would like to express my gratitude to the support rendered by other clusters and hospitals for sharing ambulance cases and admitting non-COVID-19 patients amid the severe epidemic situation. This achievement is the realisation of the HA united spirit."
The HA expressed the deepest gratitude to all sectors of community for the support on the success of conversion, including the Fire Services Department, Auxiliary Medical Service and St John Ambulance for coordinating the transportation of patients and the "Police Medic Special Duty Team" of the Hong Kong Police Force in assisting the non-emergency ambulance service in various hospitals. The staunch support and participation from different sectors of the community contributed to the work of conversion of the designated hospital.
The HA expressed apology to the patients affected, appealed to patients and members of the public for understanding, and thanked for their co-operation. The HA will closely monitor the demand of healthcare services in the community and the operation of QEH to provide appropriate medical support to the residents in Kowloon Central.
Ends/Sunday, March 13, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:25
Issued at HKT 19:25
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