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Hospital relief measures unveiled

(July 21, 2017)

The Auxiliary Medical Service and St John Ambulance are providing support to public hospitals' accident and emergency departments in patient care and transfer to cope with the summer influenza surge.
 
Other measures to cope with demand include an agreement reached with St Teresa Hospital to receive public hospital patients, and to increase general outpatient clinic service quotas to relieve pressure on A&E departments.
 
Announcing the measures today, Hospital Authority Director (Cluster Services) Dr Cheung Wai-lun said the Auxiliary Medical Service will take care of patients waiting for consultation in eight busy A&E departments.
 
It will also deploy ambulances to support patient transfers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, including patient discharge, inter-hospital transfer or patient follow-up consultation in special outpatient clinics.
 
Hospitals can get help from St John Ambulance’s four vehicles for hospital transfer if needed, he added.
 
"With the support from these voluntary ambulance brigades, the authority’s non-emergency ambulance transportation services will be spared to focus on the delivery of discharged patients to expedite bed turnover for new patients," Dr Cheung said.
 
Meanwhile, St Teresa Hospital will make available 48 beds to receive patients with stipulated conditions, which will help free up public hospital beds for patients with more serious conditions.
 
To alleviate pressure on A&E services and for the convenience of patients with mild ailments, primary care services will also be strengthened through the addition of 8,300 general outpatient clinic places to day, evening and holiday clinics.
 
The Hospital Authority will continue recruiting full time clinical staff, Dr Cheung said, adding Department of Health doctors have been invited to work during their off-duty time for the coming three months.
 
It will also collaborate with the Social Welfare Department to speed up the allocation of places in elderly homes for patients suitable for discharge and these hostels will be reminded to arrange for the patients' return home as soon as possible, Dr Cheung added.