The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko paid a visit today (December 27) to the accident and emergency (A&E) departments and medical wards of United Christian Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital to understand from frontline staff the service demand and manpower arrangements during the extended Christmas holidays. He expressed gratitude for the frontline staff's hard work and dedication.
      
     Dr Ko said that public hospitals are facing dual challenges posed by COVID-19 as well as the winter service surge, which contributed to increasing attendance in the A&E departments and admissions at public hospitals for a certain period. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the healthcare team for their commitment and unceasing patient care service during the long holiday.
      
     Dr Ko said, "It is expected that attendance of A&E departments and medical bed occupancy will continue to rise, especially the service surge of tomorrow (December 28) which is the first working day following the extended holidays, would be obvious. Besides, we are also concerned that the temperature remains low this week, which might lead to increasing demand to public hospital services. Due to a large number of patients, people may have to wait longer for consultation at the A&E department or admission to wards."

     He appealed to the public for their understanding and patience and urged patients with mild symptoms to consider using the services of General Outpatient Clinics or private doctors, relieving the pressure of the HA so as to concentrate its resources on patients with more serious clinical conditions.
      
     Dr Ko said the HA has introduced a series of measures to cope with the rising service demand including the mobilisation of clusters to triage patients, the enhancement of the Special Honorarium Scheme to encourage staff to provide extra services to enhance manpower during holidays, increasing the number of temporary beds and expediting the patient discharge process, strengthening the outreach medical services for residential care homes, and strengthening the service capacity of designated clinics, tele-consultation and medication delivery services for COVID-19 patients.
      
     Dr Ko also appealed to members of the public who have not received COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines should get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to maintain good personal protection and reduce the risk of infection or developing severe symptoms if infected.

Ends/Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:36

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