The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (May 28) that a Mainland resident was transferred point-to-point from Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) to Zhuhai People's Hospital (ZHPH) for treatment yesterday (May 27) noon under the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme). This marks the first time a patient has been transferred from Hong Kong to the Mainland since the implementation of two-way transfers under the scheme on March 27 this year.

     The female patient was previously injured in an accident while traveling in Hong Kong and was admitted to TMH for treatment. Upon learning of the patient's wish to return to the Mainland for medical care, the medical team at TMH immediately assessed her clinical condition. The team then communicated with the medical team in designated receiving hospital in Zhuhai (ZHPH) through established mechanisms and planned the transfer arrangements. After confirming that the patient was fit for transfer, the TMH medical team arranged for her to be transferred directly to ZHPH via a cross-boundary direct ambulance from point to point at noon yesterday.

     The cross-boundary direct ambulance arrived at ZHPH at around 1pm yesterday. Accompanied by medical staff throughout the journey, the entire process was smooth. The patient did not need to switch ambulances when crossing the border, which significantly reduced risks during transit and increased her chances of recovery. Upon arrival at ZHPH, the patient was handed over to the ZHPH medical team for continued treatment according to established procedures.

     The HA spokesman said, "The HA sincerely thanks the various units in the Mainland and Hong Kong for their active coordination and co-operation, which facilitated the smooth transfer of the patient to Zhuhai for medical care via the cross-boundary direct ambulance. Ensuring a smooth and safe cross-boundary hospital transfer process represents a major breakthrough in Greater Bay Area healthcare collaboration."

     Since its launch on November 30, 2024, the Pilot Scheme has operated smoothly overall. To date, 28 patients have been transferred to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Nansha, and Macao (namely the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, ZHPH, Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, and the Conde S. Januário Hospital in Macao).

     Direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the key initiatives under the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, as well as a policy measure proposed by the Chief Executive in the 2023 and 2025 Policy Addresses. The Pilot Scheme officially implemented two-way transfers in March 27 this year, providing safer, more timely, and convenient transfer arrangements for patients with specific needs in the region. This marks an important milestone in achieving excellent healthcare co-operation and promoting the high-quality development of a "Healthy Bay Area."

     Under the arrangement, patients participating in the Pilot Scheme must undergo professional medical assessment confirming they require continuous inpatient care, are in a relatively stable condition, but are unable to cross the border on their own and are unsuitable for transferring between ambulances at existing border control points, before a cross-boundary direct ambulance transfer can be arranged.

     Government departments across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will continue to review the effectiveness and operational experience of the current transfer arrangements. With patient medical needs, safety, and interests as the top priority, they will continuously refine the arrangements for cross-boundary ambulance patient transfers.

Ends/Thursday, May 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:00

NNNN