Public Hospitals Prepare for Super Typhoon Ragasa; Emergency Services to Remain Operational Despite Adverse Weather.

Hospital Authority service arrangements announced

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced the following service arrangements for public hospitals today (September 22):

With Super Typhoon Ragasa edging closer to Hong Kong, the HA has made advance preparations and implemented special measures to ensure all acute services remain unaffected during the storm period.

"All acuteservices of public hospitals, including services of accident and emergency departments, inpatient services and emergency surgeries will remain as normal. The HA has allocated additional manpower, beds, medical utilities and supplies for possible emergencies during the storm," the HA spokesperson said.

Concerning the safety of patients and staff members, non-emergency services of public hospitals, including services of general out-patient clinics, specialist out-patient clinics, allied health (such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc), geriatric day hospitals and psychiatric day hospitals, ambulatory services, non-emergent laboratory tests (such as blood tests and returning of specimens) and diagnostic services will be suspended when the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is in force, with details as follows:

Non-emergency services of public hospitals will remain as normal tomorrow morning (September 23). When the Hong Kong Observatory issuesthe Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, all non-emergency services will be suspended. The public is advised to pay close attention to the latest weather information. The HA will announce the arrangements for servicestomorrow afternoon in due course; and

All non-emergency services will be suspended on Wednesday (September 24).

The HA anticipates that a large number of backlogged cases will have to be handled after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is cancelled. In view of potentially continuing adverse weather conditions, some non-emergency services may still be affected. The HA will announce arrangements for services to be available on Thursday (September 25) in due course.

The HA reminds that non-urgent patients should avoid visiting public hospitals or clinics during the storm or adverse weather conditions for the sake of safety. "Public hospitals will resume all affected non-emergency services as soon as possible after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is cancelled. Affected patients will be notified gradually in the coming week to reschedule their appointments. Patients do not need to be concerned. All clusters have also set up hotlines for patients' enquiries (see attached table)," the spokesperson supplemented.

Enhanced inspections have been carried out at various locations within public hospitals, including potential flood-prone areas, drainage systems and trees. Furthermore, contractors of HA construction sites have been instructed to implement proper reinforcement and safety precautionary measures against strong winds and heavy rain to minimise the impact of severe weather.

The HA Major Incident Control Centre will closely monitor the operations of all hospitals and maintain close communication with relevant government departments to ensure public hospital services remain unaffected during adverse weather conditions.

Annex

Hotlines for patients' inquiry

Clusters

Hotline

Hong Kong East Cluster

6460 4303

Hong Kong West Cluster

2255 4177

Kowloon East Cluster

2379 9611

Kowloon Central Cluster

3506 5300

Kowloon West Cluster

2990 1111

New Territories East Cluster

3505 4373

New Territories West Cluster

2468 5422

Source: AI-found images

DSD deeply saddened by passing of contractor staff member

The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, was deeply saddened by the passing of a staff member of its contractor in an accident that occurred at a construction site for upgrading works of existing sewerage system at Yen Chow Street in Sham Shui Po yesterday (May 27). He expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and requested the contractor to provide them with appropriate assistance.

At about 8.30am yesterday, the worker was injured during a lifting operation at the construction site. He was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and was certified dead at about 11.30pm.

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has requested the contractor to suspend the related works and conduct a safety check. The contractor was also instructed to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The DSD will also render full assistance to relevant departments in their investigations.

Source: AI-found images