Waiting time public reporting extended to more specialties
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) will further enhance the transparency of the specialist services waiting time by extending the public reporting of waiting time on its website to medicine, psychiatry and surgery specialist out-patient clinics starting from today (January 30).

     "The posting and regular updating of waiting time on the HA website for selected specialist out-patient services and elective operations started in April 2013 to help patients understand the waiting time situation in public hospitals, so as to assist in their consideration of treatment plans and choices," the HA spokesman said.

     Waiting time information is posted on the HA Homepage under the "Specialist Out-patient Clinics" and "Elective Surgery" sections of the "Service Guides". The waiting time information will be updated on a quarterly basis. Waiting time information reporting now covers the specialist out-patient clinics of ear, nose and throat; gynaecology; eye; paediatrics; orthopaedics; medicine; surgery; and psychiatry. Elective surgeries of cataract and total joint replacement are also covered.

Ends/Friday, January 30, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:10

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