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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Chief Executive, Dr Leung Pak-yin, accompanying the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Mr Richard Yuen, paid a visit to the medical wards and Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments of Kwong Wah Hospital, Pok Oi Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital this afternoon (February 11) to meet front-line staff to learn more about the latest service situation and manpower arrangements following the extended Chinese New Year holiday.
Mr Yuen observed the service pressure and crowding at public hospitals during the winter surge. He said that the Government has committed funding of $200 billion for a number of public hospital redevelopment projects in the coming 10 years, including the redevelopment projects of Kwong Wah Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital (Phase 2), which would help ease the crowded situation in wards in the long run.
Dr Leung said that A&E Departments experienced an acute surge in demand towards the latter part of the holiday and on the first working day. He anticipated the heavy demand would continue amid the persisting cold weather coupled with the prevailing influenza season. "To help alleviate the pressure on A&E services, 1,500 service quotas were added to augment the service capacity of the 13 holiday general out-patient clinics by 35 per cent over the last few days. We appeal again to patients to seek primary healthcare services for minor ailments and let A&E Departments focus on patients with urgent medical needs," he added.
As the Chinese New Year holiday is a popular travelling season, Dr Leung reminded patients to tell healthcare staff their travel history when seeking medical consultation to facilitate the early detection of possible infectious diseases prevailing in some Mainland cities and overseas countries. Members of the public are also advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccination to protect the health of themselves and others.
Dr Leung also appealed to the public for their understanding on the recent high occupancy rates in the medical wards of nearly all acute hospitals. He also took the opportunity to express gratitude to front-line staff for their hard work and dedication during the peak service period.
Ends/Thursday, February 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:50
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