The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (February 13) announced that the service efficiency of public hospitals has significantly improved since the implementation of the public healthcare fees and charges reform. Among the 18 Accident & Emergency Departments (A&Es) under the HA, there were 149 974 patient visits in January, showing a significant decrease of nearly 10 per cent compared to the same period last year. Of these, semi-urgent and non-urgent cases accounted for 74 404 visits, representing a substantial decrease of approximately 18.3 per cent compared to the same period last year. The average waiting time for emergency cases has also been reduced from 24 minutes to 20 minutes.

The HA spokesperson said, "Although various measures of the public healthcare fees and charges reform have been implemented and have brought about enhancements in service efficiency at public hospitals, the HA has still made advance preparations for service arrangements during the Lunar New Year holiday period. Starting tomorrow, special measures for the service demand surge will be activated to ensure that public hospitals can provide necessary services to patients during the holiday period and that emergency patients can receive immediate treatment."

The HA has enhanced the family medicine outpatient services. A total of 18 family medicine clinics (FMCs) will provide public holiday FMC services during the Lunar New Year holiday period (February 17 to 19) (see table 1 in attachment). Patients may book an appointment either through the telephone appointment system, the eHealth mobile app or the "Book FMC" function of the HA Go mobile app.

The spokesperson reminded members of the public that the weather has been cold in recent days, and increased activity in influenza and some respiratory pathogens would continue to be observed. They should keep warm as well as stay vigilant about personal and environmental hygiene during the public holiday to avoid spreading diseases. Members of the public who develop respiratory symptoms should wear a mask and seek medical advice promptly.

The spokesperson emphasised that non-emergency patients should avoid using A&E services and seek treatment at FMCs, private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on public hospital A&Es. The Health Bureau has collated information on private healthcare facilities, covering 13 private hospitals, more than 34 clinics, and 80 non-profit organisations and private Chinese medicine clinics, which will be in operation during the Lunar New Year holidays across 18 districts in the city. The information (including addresses, phone numbers and operation hours) of the relevant healthcare facilities can be accessed by members of the public via the eHealth website and the "Doctor Search" function of the eHealth mobile app.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson appealed to eligible members of the public, especially high-risk groups, to get vaccinated early for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to reduce the chance of infection for themselves and their family members, as well as to reduce critical cases and deaths.

Moreover, Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) located in the 18 districts will arrange special sessions to provide government-subsidised Chinese medicine (CM) out-patient services on February 18 and 19 (see table 2 in attachment). Meanwhile, the CM out-patient services will also be enhanced before and after the Lunar New Year holidays to meet public demand (February 16, 20 and 21). Patients may make an appointment either by telephone during service hours, through the eHealth mobile app or through the "18 CM Clinics" mobile app (applicable to patients who have registered for 18 CMCTRs service).