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Clinic services during Christmas holiday
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 22) announced that 13 general out-patient clinics (GOPCs, see appendix) will remain open during the coming Christmas holiday on Friday and Saturday (December 25 and 26). Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for an appointment. There will be a new holiday clinic, Aberdeen Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic, to meet primary healthcare demand in the community.

     The Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments of public hospitals will remain open as usual to serve the public with urgent medical needs during the Christmas holiday. The Chairman of the HA Central Coordinating Committee (A&E), Dr Li Kai-ming, said there will be more patients at A&E Departments during extended holidays. As a result, semi-urgent and non-urgent patients might have to wait longer for consultation and treatment. He appealed to the general public for understanding and co-operation during the wait.

     "Demand for A&E services by the general public during long holidays is usually higher than on normal days. Attendance during the three Mondays so far in December was recorded at 6,401, 6,628 and 6,260, which was around 10 per cent higher than normal. As the coming Christmas holiday will be followed by a Sunday, demand for A&E services will likely surge, especially on the first working day following the three-day holiday. Our A&E doctors will ensure priority treatment for patients in critical or emergency condition while semi-urgent or non-urgent patients might have to wait longer before receiving consultation. Non-urgent patients should consider attending GOPCs or private doctors for consultation," Dr Li added.

     Dr Li also reminded the public that, with the approach of the winter peak season of influenza, the general public should adopt a healthy lifestyle such as covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, maintaining proper hand hygiene, and putting on a mask when developing symptoms of respiratory infection in order to avoid further spread of disease. Members of the public are also advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible to protect themselves and others. Dr Li also reminded elderly persons to maintain good ventilation and proper room temperature during the cold weather, and to strengthen body immunity by putting on suitable clothing, conserving adequate energy through proper diet, and having regular exercise and adequate rest.
 
     Information on holiday GOPCs and private clinics in the district will be posted in all A&E Departments. Members of the public are welcome to call the following numbers and browse online for the required information:

1. HA Infoline 2882 4866;
2. Hong Kong Medical Association Medilink 90000-222-322;
3. Hong Kong Medical Association website www.hkma.org; and
4. Primary Care Directory of the Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk or download the "Primary Care Directory" mobile app.

Ends/Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:40

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