The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (November 18) appeals to the public, to accord top priority to the well-being of patients, to work together to maintain normal public hospital services. Currently, there are traffic disruptions over the territory, blocking access to public hospitals. HA appeals to the public to avoid blocking access roads in the vicinity of hospitals to avoid affecting patient services.
 
     The HA spokesperson said, "patient conveyance, inter-hospital patient transfer and operation of individual hospitals have already been affected to a certain extent. The HA is also concerned about the possible impact to patient food, blood products and other supplies, and in particular urgent patient specimens due to the traffic disruptions."
 
     In response to social media posts initiating public assembly in HA workplaces, the spokesperson for HA appeals against holding these activities in public hospital access roads, within the hospitals and areas adjacent to hospitals including the HA Building which locates next to Kowloon Hospital and Hong Kong Eye Hospital, to ensure smooth hospital operations and a suitable environment for patient care.
 
     The HA has already reminded members of public and staff, in different platforms at various occasions, that public assemblies should not be held in public hospitals to avoid causing conflicts. Staff expressing views should be mindful of the perceptions of patients and their families, as well as relations with the patients. The HA also advised colleagues to avoid exposing themselves to undue risks of legal and professional responsibilities.
 
     The HA trusts that staff will continue to uphold their professionalism and mutual respect to provide an equitable service regardless of the patients' identity and background. This is a universal value to be supported and safeguarded by the community at large.

Ends/Monday, November 18, 2019
Issued at HKT 13:05

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