General clinic services during Christmas holidays
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The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 21) announces that 13 general out-patient clinics (see table below) will remain open during the Christmas holidays on December 25 and 26. Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for an appointment.
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 more patients are expected to attend 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 appeals to the general public for understanding and cooperation during the wait.
"Demand for A&E service during extended holidays is usually higher than normal days. We will get prepared for a surge in A&E attendance on the first working day following the four-day of weekend and holidays. 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 clinic or private doctor for consultations," Dr Li added.
He 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, maintain proper hand hygiene, and put on mask when developing symptoms of respiratory infections in order to avoid further spread of the disease. The general public is also advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccine as early as possible to protect themselves and others. People travelling outside Hong Kong are reminded to avoid contacting birds or poultry, and to disclose their travel history to healthcare staff when seeking medical consultation.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to the public to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol during the festive celebrations as it causes over-loading to the body. Alcohol is decomposed by liver enzymes into acetaldehyde which is a toxic metabolite to the body. Too much acetaldehyde in blood produces adverse reactions such as rapid heartbeat, headache, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, anxiety and depression. Drinking too much alcohol will cause very high alcohol concentration in blood which could even be life threatening."
To help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic service of their choice, members of the public are welcome to call the HA Infoline 2882 4866 for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service, and also to browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download the mobile App of "Primary Care Directory". Besides, Hong Kong Medical Association Medilink 90000-222-322 will be operated from December 24 to 26 to provide information about private medical consultation during holidays.
| District | Name of Clinic | Telephone number for booking | General enquiry |
| 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 and 26
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Ends/Thursday, December 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:02
Issued at HKT 10:02
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