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Enhanced measures will be implemented in public hospitals to cope with the surge in demand triggered by the influenza season.
Hospital Authority Director (Cluster Services) Dr Cheung Wai-lun today said the utilisation of hospitals' accident and emergency services rose 9% in the first week of February while paediatric and medical department demand grew 4% and 13%.
Anticipating a further rise in service demand in the coming six to eight weeks, strengthened measures will be introduced according to paediatric and medical ward occupancy.
When occupancy rates exceed 100% for more than three days, first-phase measures will be implemented. Hospitals will send surplus medical patients to other wards, extra manpower and beds will be deployed, and staff may be asked to work overtime.
Clinicians of paediatric and geriatric departments will support accident and emergency department services and outreach medical teams will be sent to elderly homes to ease the hospital workload. Patients may be transferred to convalescent hospitals for further management.
Second-phase measures will be introduced when occupancy rates exceed 115% for more than three days. Non-urgent surgeries will be postponed and extra beds will be opened.
Dr Cheung said hospitals will also strengthen influenza-control measures, adding the authority will closely monitor the situation and review its strategy.
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