Clinic services during Christmas holidays
*****************************************
The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 22) announced that 13 general out-patient clinics (see table below) will remain open in the coming Christmas holidays from December 25 to 27. Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for appointments.
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 holidays. 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 the 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 during long holidays is usually higher than on normal days. Attendance on the three Mondays in December was recorded at 6 407, 6 395 and 6 043, higher than the normal attendance of 5 900. Demand for A&E services will likely surge, especially on the first working day following the extended weekend. Our A&E doctors will ensure priority treatment for patients with critical or emergency condition while semi-urgent or non-urgent patients might have to wait longer before receiving consultations. Non-urgent patients should consider attending the general out-patient clinics or private doctors for consultations," 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 infections in order to avoid further spread of the disease. The general public is also advised to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine as early as possible to protect themselves and others. Dr Li also reminded people travelling outside Hong Kong to avoid contact with birds or poultry. They are also reminded to disclose their travel history to healthcare staff when seeking medical consultation.
To facilitate public understanding of public hospital services during the winter surge, A&E waiting time information, key statistics such as A&E attendance, the medical in-patient bed occupancy rate and hyperlinks to private healthcare services websites are available on the HA website (www.ha.org.hk/goto/wintersurge/en) and the "HA Touch" mobile app. Members of the public are welcome to call the following numbers for required information:
- HA Infoline 2882 4866
- Hong Kong Medical Association Medilink 90000-222-322 (will be operated from December 25 to 27)
| District | Name of Clinic | Booking Telephone Number | General Enquiries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Island |
Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0077 | 2560 0211 |
| Violet Peel General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0000 | 3553 3116 | |
| Aberdeen Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3543 5011 | 2555 0381 | |
| Kowloon | Kwun Tong Community Health Centre | 3157 0687 | 2389 0331 |
| Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic | 3157 0118 | 2354 2267 | |
| Robert Black General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0113 | 2383 3311 | |
| Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0880 | 2272 2400 | |
| New Territories | Lady Trench General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0107 | 2614 4789 |
| Lek Yuen General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0972 | 2692 8730 | |
| Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0965 | 2670 0211 | |
| Tai Po Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0906 | 2664 2039 | |
| Tuen Mun Clinic | 3543 0886 | 2452 9111 | |
| Yuen Long Jockey Club Health Centre | 3543 5007 | 2443 8511 |
Consultation hours:
December 25 (Sunday)
9am to 1pm
December 26 and 27 (Monday and Tuesday)
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
NNNN