FSD appeals for proper use of emergency ambulance service
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The FSD received a daily average of nearly 2 800 ambulance calls in the past three days, which is 800 more than the daily average of about 2 000 in the past year. In about 18 per cent of the emergency cases, ambulance could not be responded at scene within the target response time of 12 minutes. Medical experts also predicted that the peak season of local influenza will be maintained. It is expected that such cases will exert heavy pressure on the emergency ambulance service during the festive holidays. In response to the situation, the FSD has internally deployed manpower from other units to meet the rapidly increasing demand for emergency ambulance service.
Furthermore, the FSD reiterates that taking ambulance to hospitals does not mean that patients would receive quicker medical attention. The Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals have adopted a triage system for patients according to the acuity of their condition irrespective of the mode of transportation they use to get to the public hospitals. Only patients with severe injuries or illnesses will be given a higher priority of medical treatment.
The FSD will continue to monitor the situation and maintain close contact with the Hospital Authority, and take various practicable measures actively, with a view to maintaining quality emergency ambulance service for the public.
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:00
Issued at HKT 18:00
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