************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman announced today (August 13) that beginning next Monday (August 17), HA will progressively resume services for chronic patients with scheduled appointments at the eight designated flu clinics (DFC).
¡§Chronic patients who have been pre-scheduled for follow up at the DFCs should go to the clinics according to their date of original appointment, bringing along their appointment slip and identity card,¡¨ the HA spokesman said.
The eight DFCs will continue to operate daily, including public holidays, from 9am to 5pm for patients with influenza-like illness symptoms such as fever (body temperature at 38¢XC or above) with either cough, sore throat or both.
¡§To reserve service capacity for influenza and chronic patients, other general outpatient services such as episodic disease, injection and wound care will not be resumed at these DFCs for the time being.¡¨
There will be patient flow control or segregation at the DFCs to prevent cross infection of patients with influenza-like illness and chronic patients.
¡§Patients are advised to follow the directional signs and instructions of clinic staff on site. All visitors to DFCs, including patients and carers, are also reminded to bring and wear surgical masks and practise hand hygiene.¡¨
Radio announcements will be made while posters and directional signs will be displayed at the clinics for patient information. Members of the public can call the HA Infolines 2882 4866 or 2300 6555 for more details about the above arrangements.
Ends/Thursday, August 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:13
NNNN