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The Hospital Authority today (March 28) announced that its Head Office and the seven hospital clusters would progressively implement the five-day week initiative from April 1.
A spokesman for the authority said the Head Office and some hospital clusters (Hong Kong East, Hong Kong West, Kowloon East, New Territories East and New Territories West) would begin a five-day week from April 1, while other clusters would launch the initiative in stages according to operational arrangements.
While noting that the implementation of the five-day week would bring better work-life balance and enhance the quality of family life of staff members, the spokesman stressed that the following principles would be strictly adhered to by all clusters in the implementation:
- No reduction in emergency services
- Alternative service arrangements should have minimal impact on the public
- Continued support to clinical areas is available
- No increase in manpower resources
- No reduction in the conditioned working hours of employees
"Medical services in public hospitals will continue as usual round the clock, and the operating hours of general outpatient clinics and specialist outpatient clinics will remain unchanged. People can enquire directly at respective hospitals for details of the operating hours of clinics and other patient related services."
The spokesman said, the one-stop enquiry hotline (2300 6555) and the Complaints Management Section would cease to operate on Saturdays.
Starting from April 1, the authority one-stop enquiry hotline would be manned Mondays to Fridays from 8.45am to 6pm. Public enquiries sent to the authority by mail, fax and email during weekends and public holidays would be handled on the first working day of the subsequent week.
The service hours of the Complaints Management Section from Mondays to Fridays are 9am–12.30pm and 2pm–5.15pm. Complaints sent to the authority by mail, fax and email during weekends and public holidays will be handled on the first working day of the subsequent week.
The opening hours of the Hospital Authority Health InfoWorld from Mondays to Fridays are 9.30am–6pm. Visits to and use of Health InfoWorld facilities are available during weekends and public holidays by special arrangement or prior appointment.
People can visit the authority's website (http://www.ha.org.hk) or call the HA Infoline 2882 4866 for opening hours and other information.
Ends/Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:09
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