HA clarifies news report

March 17, 2021

The hospital will only consider the use of physical restraint on paediatric patients for the safety and well-being of the patient.

 

The Hospital Authority issued the clarification in response to a news report about unpleasant experience and alleged use of physical restraint on paediatric patients during hospitalisation.

 

The authority explained that generally speaking, the hospital will only consider the application of physical restraint on paediatric patients for the safety and well-being of the patient.

 

It noted that appropriate and prior consent will be sought from the parents or guardians and that there is no question of parents not knowing so beforehand.

 

As regards whether children would be admitted to the hospital alone, the authority said as a standing practice, the hospital will provide an option for the parents, who are tested negative to COVID-19, to accompany their confirmed children to stay in the same isolation room.

 

Such an arrangement is subject to the agreement of the Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection and the availability of isolation capacities.

 

It said the hospital will explain the risk of contracting the infection to the parents and added that essential infection control precautions and personal protective equipment will be provided.

 

Due to infection control consideration, the parents will be required to undergo an additional quarantine period after the paediatric patients are discharged.

 

The authority also pointed out that the hospital will always take into account the interests of paediatric patients and their families, and cater for the special needs of the patients as far as possible during hospitalisation.

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