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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The North Lantau Hospital (NLTH) is scheduled to extend its Accident and Emergency (A&E) service to 24 hours with effect from midnight on September 25 (Thursday) to provide a more comprehensive healthcare service for residents in Tung Chung district.
The hospital spokesman today (September 23) said, apart from the 24-hour A&E service commencement, an inpatient service including 20 acute beds and 20 convalescent/rehabilitation beds will also be in operation in the initial phase. In addition, specialist outpatient services for surgery, orthopaedics and traumatology as well as the Day Rehabilitation Centre also commenced operation in mid-September, while the Day Procedure Centre is planned to open in the fourth quarter of this year. Allied health services, such as speech therapy and a dietetic service, will also be provided.
The spokesman said, "Since the A&E service commenced in phases from 8 hours to 16 hours last year, the hospital has been closely monitoring the situation and is in close liaison with the community. With a higher demand for our services and the rising expectation of the local community for round-the-clock A&E service, the hospital has decided to commence the 24-hour A&E operation from September 25 this year.
"We are very grateful to our community partners for their continued support and we all look forward to providing quality health-care services to the public with close community support and partnership."
NLTH is one of the public hospitals under the Kowloon West Cluster of the Hospital Authority serving residents in Tung Chung district. The hospital is located at 8 Chung Yan Road, Tung Chung, Lantau, New Territories. For public enquiries, please call the hospital's general enquiry hotline at 3467 7000.
Ends/Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:05
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