The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (May 8) announced that the HA has activated service demand surge special measures to cope with the increasing service demand due to increased activity in influenza and respiratory viruses. The HA will closely monitor various statistics and situation.
The HA spokesperson said, "Public hospitals have implemented a series of measures, including increasing manpower, opening temporary beds and mobilising hospital beds flexibly to cope with the increasing service demand for accident and emergency (A&E) departments and inpatient services. Laboratory services will be enhanced and ward rounds of senior clinicians in evenings, weekends and holidays will be increased. The HA will also facilitate patient admissions, transfers and discharges to expedite hospital bed turnover. Service capacity of general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) will be enhanced. The geriatric departments will provide assessment and discharge support to elderly people at A&E departments. The community geriatric assessment team will provide teleconsultations to elderly people who are in need and living in residential care homes."
Latest surveillance data showed that increased activity in influenza and some respiratory pathogens has been observed. The HA will closely monitor the medical needs of the patients concerned and provide suitable treatments. The HA also appeals to members of the public who have not received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to receive vaccination as soon as possible. Especially the elderly and children, who are at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, should receive SIV early. SIV is the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing the risk of severe disease and death.
Moreover, 14 GOPCs will provide public holiday GOPC services on the Birthday of the Buddha (May 15) (see table below) to cope with the increasing service need from members of the public and alleviate the service pressure on A&E departments during the holiday. Patients may book an appointment either through the telephone appointment system or the "Book GOPC" function of the "HA Go" mobile app.
The spokesperson said non-urgent patients should avoid attending A&E departments. They are advised to attend GOPCs, private doctors or the 24-hour clinics of private hospitals as far as practicable. To choose a suitable family doctor and related clinic service, members of the public can browse the Primary Care Directory of the Health Bureau (www.pcdirectory.gov.hk).
The HA will closely monitor the situation and flexibly deploy resources and manpower when necessary, and will keep increasing its service volume in order to provide appropriate services for patients.
GOPC service arrangements on the Birthday of the Buddha (May 15):
| Region | List of GOPCs | Address | Telephone number for booking | General enquiries |
| Hong Kong Island | Aberdeen Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen | 3543 5011 | 2555 0381 |
| Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 1/F, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan | 3157 0077 | 2560 0211 | |
| Violet Peel General Out-patient Clinic | LG, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai | 3157 0000 | 3553 3116 | |
| Kowloon | Kwun Tong Community Health Centre | UG/F, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong | 3157 0687 | 2389 0331 |
| Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic | G/F, Out-patient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin | 3157 0118 | 2354 2267 | |
| Robert Black General Out-patient Clinic | 600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong | 3157 0113 | 2383 3311 | |
| Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 1/F, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei | 3157 0880 | 2272 2400 | |
| New Territories | Lady Trench General Out-patient Clinic | 213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan | 3157 0107 | 2614 4789 |
| Lek Yuen General Out-patient Clinic | G/F, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin | 3157 0972 | 2692 8730 | |
| Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | G/F, 108-130 Jockey Club Road, Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui | 3157 0965 | 2670 0211 | |
| Tai Po Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | G/F, 37 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po | 3157 0906 | 2664 2039 | |
| Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) General Out-patient Clinic | G/F, 28 Po Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O | 3157 0660 | 2191 1083 | |
| Tuen Mun Clinic | 11 Tsing Yin Street, San Hui, Tuen Mun | 3543 0886 | 2452 9111 | |
| Yuen Long Jockey Club Health Centre | 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long | 3543 5007 | 2443 8511 |
Service hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
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