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HA to operate clinic services as usual over Mid-autumn Festival and urges pubilc not to burn wax
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Members of the public are reminded today (October 3) that 13 general out-patient clinics (see table below) under the Hospital Authority (HA) will continue to provide services on the holiday following the Mid-autumn Festival this Thursday (October 5). Patients requiring medical consultation can also make advance booking for an appointment through the telephone system as usual. Furthermore, a doctor at the accident and emergency (A&E) department of a public hospital urged the public to stay vigilant during the festival to prevent accidents, and particularly not to play with burning wax.

     According to the HA spokesman, the A&E departments in public hospitals will also operate as usual during the Mid-autumn Festival holiday to serve patients with urgent medical needs. Non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultation at general out-patient clinics, clinics of private doctors or 24-hour clinics of private hospitals instead of A&E Departments.

     "To help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic services of their choice, members of the public are welcome to call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic services, or to browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download the mobile App of Primary Care Directory," added the spokesman.

     Approaching the Mid-autumn Festival holidays, HA Consultant emergency physician Dr Lau Chu-leung advised the public that burning wax is a very dangerous activity and burn injuries will cause permanent scars. In severe cases, the movement of limbs can also be affected. Thus, members of the public, especially children, are urged not to play with burning wax during the Festival to prevent accidents.

     "The temperature of hot wax is even higher than that of boiling water. It will possibly lead to third-degree (severe level) burns. Patients with third-degree burns will have their dermis and skin nerves seriously damaged and the wound will not be able to recover by itself. These patients will require prolonged management and treatment, including resecting necrotic skin, skin-grafting, wearing pressure coating and receiving physiotherapy treatment. Scars will stay even after treatment, while the adverse effect on the limb movement and appearance will also impact on the psychological and social well-being of the victims.

     "In case of suffering from burns, patients are advised to extinguish the fire on clothes or body to slow down the burn and to taking some simple first-aid measures, such as to rinse the wound gently with clean water for 10 to 15 minutes, or to wrap the wound with clean gauze or plastic wrap to minimise the risk of infection.

     "Ice, ointment, soy sauce and toothpaste should not be used to treat the wound as they will cause more harm than healing. Anyone suffering from burns should seek medical treatment at the nearest A&E department if required," said Dr Lau.
 
District Name of Clinic Booking Telephone Number 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:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
 
Ends/Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:12
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