In 2006-07, 68% of public hospitals' accident  and emergency attendances - 1.34 million - were classified as semi-urgent or non-urgent cases, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says. The average waiting time for a semi-urgent case was 73 minutes, and for non-urgent cases, 98 minutes.

He told legislators today the unit cost per attendance at A&E departments is $720 - more than twice the $260 unit cost per attendance at general outpatient clinics.

The Hospital Authority is concerned about the improper use of A&E services by patients with non-emergency conditions, he said.

It is understandable that some patients are not able to determine whether their acute conditions require emergency or non-emergency medical care, he said. But he added that others simply use A&E departments as a convenient alternative to out-patient clinics, in particular outside normal consultation hours, resulting in a wasteful use of public hospital resources.

To minimise improper use of A&E services by patients with non-emergency conditions, the Government will encourage the public to make better use of family doctors' services. They should be the first point of contact when accessing medical services.

He said the authority has no plan to set up 24-hour clinics to be operated by private practitioners next to A&E departments. At present, most private hospitals and some private clinics are providing round-the-clock services. The Government will encourage the private sector to offer even more.