Hong Kong – Hospital Authority public holidays service arrangements facilitate smooth operations of public hospitals
Hospital Authority public holidays service arrangements facilitate smooth operations of public hospitals
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) said today (April 8) that the service arrangements during and after Easter and Ching Ming Festival public holidays helped to cope with the service demand surge and alleviate the service pressure on the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments. The operations of public hospitals were maintained smoothly in general.
The service arrangements included increasing General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) and Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) services during public holidays, implementing a special refund arrangement at A&E Departments, flexibly mobilising manpower and beds, enhancing support for discharge procedures so as to expedite hospital bed turnover, etc. During Easter and Ching Ming Festival public holidays, apart from the 14 public holiday GOPCs, four GOPCs provided additional services on April 1 with a total quota of about 10 000. As for CMCTRs located in the 18 districts, they enhanced the government-subsidised Chinese medicine out-patient services by providing for a total quota of 12 000 in the period of Easter holidays and the first week of April.
In addition, in order to alleviate the impact of service demand surge on public healthcare system, the Health Bureau has collated information of private hospitals, healthcare facilities, family doctors and Chinese medicine clinics which were in operation during the holidays across the city. The information (including addresses, phone numbers and operation hours) of the relevant hospitals and clinics have been uploaded to an online portal for public reference in collaboration with the Spatial Data Office of the Development Bureau and the Lands Department, to facilitate citizens to look for suitable hospitals or clinics for medical treatment.
Data from the HA shows that during Easter and Ching Ming Festival public holidays, the quota utilisation rate of GOPCs was more than 90 per cent. In the period of Easter holidays and the first week of April, the quota utilisation rate of CMCTRs was close to 90 per cent. The spokesperson said, “Increasing quota in GOPCs and CMCTRs was able to help cope with citizens’ demand for consultation during the holidays.”
Regarding the operation of A&E Departments, from March 28 to April 7, attendance of over 60 000 was recorded. During this period, the A&E first attendance in public hospitals ranged from about 5 100 to about 6 000 daily while the median of waiting time of semi-urgent and non-urgent patients ranged from two hours to three hours. To cope with service demands, A&E Departments implemented the special refund arrangement which effectively alleviated pressure on A&E Departments and the operation was generally smooth.
The special refund arrangement in A&E Departments has concluded. From March 28 to April 7, 999 applications for refund have so far been received, accounting for around 1.6 per cent of the total number of attendances. The applications are currently under process and eligible applicants will be refunded by cheque sent via mail, by credit card or electronic wallet.
The spokesperson emphasised, “The operation of the special refund arrangement has been smooth, allowing stable and mild patients to have more flexibility in choosing alternative private medical institutions, thus diverting patients and alleviating the service pressure on A&E Departments, enabling them to concentrate resources of taking care of patients in need.”
“After implementation of the above special measures, the operation of all public hospitals remained smooth during this period, and the overall pressure on public hospitals was alleviated. In particular, the waiting time for patients admitted to the wards through the A&E Departments has been improved. However, the HA noted that some patients did not show up after making appointments at the GOPCs and CMCTRs. The HA appeals to patients to proactively cancel their appointments if consultation service is not in need due to other arrangement, so that patients in need can receive medical services more easily and in a timely manner.”
Moreover, recent surveillance data shows that both COVID-19 and influenza activities are still active in Hong Kong and other regions. The HA appeals to members of the public to get vaccinated early for COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, especially high-risk groups, to reduce the chance of getting infected for themselves and their family members, as well as to reduce critical cases and deaths. Regardless of the number of doses received previously, high-risk groups are recommended to receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months since the last dose or infection.
Members of the public may find details on the Centre for Health Protection COVID-19 Vaccination Programme website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/106934.html) and the Vaccination Schemes website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html).
The HA is thankful for patients’ understanding, and also the frontline healthcare staff who stayed on duty during public holidays. A&E and inpatient services remained smooth because staff from all disciplines stood fast and remained at their posts, taking care of patients wholeheartedly. The HA will continue to monitor the service statistics of public hospitals and conclude the experience gained from implementing special measures this time and feedback received from different stakeholders, so as to help implement appropriate measures in the future so that A&E Department resources can be used for citizens who are most in need of healthcare services.
AFCD urges public not to come into contact with monkeys
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An AFCD spokesman said, “When encountering monkeys, members of the public should avoid eating in front of monkeys, and avoid direct eye contact with monkeys to prevent it from being perceived as a provocative behaviour. When monkeys approach, one should slow down and keep an appropriate distance from them, and refrain from getting close to or touching them. If any person has come into contact with a monkey or its excrement, he or she should immediately wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to maintain personal hygiene. In the event of being bitten or scratched by a monkey, immediate medical assistance should be sought.”
The spokesman also pointed out that the wild animal feeding ban area has been extended to cover the entire territory of Hong Kong. Anyone who feeds wild animals anywhere in Hong Kong without a special permit will be prosecuted. Under the existing Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170), illegal feeding of wild animals, including monkeys, is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.
The spokesman strongly appealed to the public not to feed monkeys. Apart from violating the law, illegal feeding will also change the living habits of wild animals, making them dependent on human beings for food and causing nuisance or even risks to the public.
The AFCD will continue to neuter monkeys to control their population in the long run, and continue to step up education and publicity such that more people will understand the living habits of monkeys and promote the message of “stop feeding of wild animals”.
If a person is disturbed by monkeys, he or she can call 1823 to report the incident to the AFCD for follow-up. Please call 999 for Police’s assistance in emergency situations. The AFCD has also put up posts on its social media platform, mounted posters and banners at prominent locations in country parks and distributed leaflets about monkeys, to convey the above messages to the public.
Public reminded to keep venues clean during fireworks display
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Please broadcast the following at suitable intervals:
With the holding of the 2024 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display this evening (February 11), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department reminds people to keep places clean while enjoying the fireworks display. Rubbish should be placed in rubbish bins. Anyone not disposing of rubbish properly is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.
Please be reminded that the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade area and the piazza area of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, together with the waterfront of Hong Kong Island North, will be crowded. People who intend to go there should also mind their safety.
Public urged to observe road safety during Lunar New Year holidays
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Public should take precautionary measures against carbon monoxide poisoning
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The case involved a 17-year-old woman, who was found unconscious when she had a shower inside the bathroom at home yesterday (January 28). She was sent to YCH and was later transferred to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment. She is now in stable condition.
The EMSD conducted a site investigation immediately upon receiving the report. According to the information provided by the residents, the subject gas water heater was not bought in Hong Kong. The concerned model has not been approved by the EMSD and did not bear a “GU” mark. Preliminary investigation finding revealed that exhaust flue was not installed for the gas water heater. With the exhaust flue gas discharged into the bathroom, coupled with poor ventilation, the accumulated carbon monoxide caused the carbon monoxide poisoning. Further investigation by the EMSD is ongoing. If the investigation results confirm that there was contravention of the Gas Safety Ordinance, the EMSD will consider initiating prosecution actions against the person concerned.
The CHP said that carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas which is a by-product from incomplete combustion of any fuel which contains carbon, such as wood, natural gas and gasoline.
Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death.
The CHP reminded members of the public that a gas water heater should be used in a well-ventilated area. They should seek medical attention immediately if suspected of developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The EMSD also reminds members of the public of the following:
Hong Kong – AFCD urges public not to come into contact with monkeys
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reminds the public the do’s and don’ts when encountering monkeys, subsequent to a case in which a person was attacked by a monkey and contracted a disease after coming into contact with a monkey in the countryside.Hong Kong – Public reminded to keep venues clean during fireworks display
Attention radio/TV announcers:Hong Kong – Public urged to observe road safety during Lunar New Year holidays
The Transport Department (TD) today (February 7) reminded all road users to observe road safety during the Lunar New Year holidays.
“Motorists must not drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, so as to avoid contravening the law. Drink driving and drug driving will not only endanger motorists themselves, but also other road users. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs will significantly impair driving ability. After drinking alcohol or taking drugs, one should use public transport services or arrange someone else to drive,” a TD spokesman said.
“Moreover, motorists must not participate in illegal road racing and speeding. Motorists should always maintain a steady and suitable speed and keep sufficient distance with the vehicle in front.”
The spokesman also appealed to motorists not to park their vehicles illegally. They should park in a parking place or a car park so as to maintain smooth road traffic. This can avoid causing traffic jams, affecting public transport operation, blocking passage of emergency vehicles, and obstructing the sight lines of pedestrians and other road users which may otherwise cause traffic accidents. For motorists who commit traffic offences and cause traffic obstruction, the Police will issue warnings or summonses, or even tow away the vehicles concerned.
When cycling, members of the public are advised to cycle within their abilities and observe road safety, wear suitable helmets and personal protective equipment as well as properly check their bicycles. They should always be attentive, patient and law-abiding when cycling. Pedestrians must also follow the traffic rules when crossing a road. Before crossing the road, they must wait until the steady “Green man” light shows and all traffic has stopped.
The spokesman emphasised that road safety hinges on the co-operation of every road user, and appealed to the public to exercise self-discipline and comply with traffic rules.Hong Kong – Public should take precautionary measures against carbon monoxide poisoning
Following a notification from Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) on a case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 29) appealed to members of the public to take precautionary measures against carbon monoxide poisoning.
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