Secretary for Health visits Queen Elizabeth Hospital (with photos)
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Accompanied by the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Eric Cheung, Professor Lo and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, visited the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, the retrofitted general ward for admitting COVID-19 patients and the isolation ward. They also learned about the current service situation and deployment of manpower at the hospital from the management and frontline healthcare staff in response to the dual challenges posed by COVID-19 and the winter influenza.
Professor Lo said, "Public hospitals are currently facing a winter service surge. Coupled with the recent cold weather, the numbers of COVID-19 and respiratory tract infection cases such as influenza have remained high, leading to a marked increase in attendance in the A&E departments and admissions to public hospitals. The HA has been implementing a series of contingency measures, including setting up temporary beds and making manpower arrangements, to strengthen patient services during the service surge. At the same time, the HA has strengthened services such as tele-consultation and medication delivery to relieve the pressure of public hospitals.
"I hope that patients will understand the relatively long waiting time at the moment. Those with milder conditions can seek medical attention at general outpatient clinics or from private doctors, so that public hospitals can concentrate their resources on patients with more serious conditions. In addition, persons who tested positive for COVID-19 may seek medical advice from private doctors if their symptoms are mild. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health has stipulated in the isolation orders that persons infected with COVID-19 can leave the place of isolation for medical treatment by point-to-point transportation. The Government has all along been providing free COVID-19 oral drugs to private doctors who can prescribe the drugs to suitable COVID-19 patients."
Professor Lo also took the opportunity today to communicate with the frontline healthcare staff to learn about their difficulties during the service surge and listen to their opinions. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the staff for their commitment, devoted care for patients, and unfailingly high level of professionalism throughout the long holiday, thereby safeguarding the healthcare system of Hong Kong at all times.
Lastly, Professor Lo once again strongly appealed to members of the public, in particular the elderly and children, to receive seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as early as possible, while maintaining good personal hygiene and making good use of the healthcare services, such that Hong Kong society can continue to move forward along the path to normalcy together.
Ends/Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:42
Issued at HKT 18:42
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