Cross-Boundary Ambulance Transfer Scheme Expands to Zhuhai and Nansha for Greater Bay Area Residents

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha

The Health Bureau (HHB) announced today (September 26) that the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area will be extended to Zhuhai People's Hospital (ZHPH) and the Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, with a view to offering residents of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) with high-quality, efficient and convenient cross-boundary medical transfer arrangements.

To ensure the smooth implementation of relevant arrangements, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in collaboration with the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality, conducted a drill today to assess the simulated transfer of patients under the cross-boundary ambulance arrangements. The drill was conducted smoothly in general, and it is expected that the Pilot Scheme can be extended to Zhuhai by the end of this year.

In his recent Policy Address, the Chief Executive has proposed to extend the cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements with the governments of Guangdong and Macao in an orderly manner, including two-way transfers and expansion to cover designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha. Following liaison between the HHB and Zhuhai and Nansha, the designated hospitals of the two places have been identified as ZHPH and the Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University respectively. Today's drill mainly aimed at testing the routing of the cross-boundary ambulance between ZHPH and the designated hospital in Hong Kong (i.e. Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)), as well as the immigration arrangements. After departure from ZHPH, the designated Zhuhai cross-boundary ambulance travelled to PMH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Zhuhai Port and later returned to Zhuhai via the HZMB.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "With the support of various national ministries, the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, officially launched the one-year Pilot Scheme on November 30 last year. Through the concerted efforts of the HKSAR Government and the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality, today's drill was conducted successfully to streamline the flow of direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer. We will continue to review the effectiveness and operational experience of the Pilot Scheme, with the medical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, as well as to press ahead with the objective of extending the arrangements in an orderly manner, including implementing two-way transfers and expansion to cover Nansha as set out in the Policy Address."

The overall operation of the Pilot Scheme has been smooth since its implementation. A total of 16 patients were transferred from the designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen and Macao (i.e. the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital and the Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao) to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong. According to professional medical assessment, patients of the above cases have a need for continuous hospitalisation for treatment. Their conditions were relatively stable, but they were unable to return to Hong Kong on their own and were unsuitable for transfer to Hong Kong ambulances via the existing boundary control points.

Source: AI-found images

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA to be extended to designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

Special traffic and transport arrangements for New Year's Eve

The Transport Department (TD) today (December 30) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on New Year's Eve (December 31) to facilitate the related holiday celebration activities.

Road closures

Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from 2pm that day in the vicinity of Central. The public light bus stands, taxi stands and roadside parking spaces on the corresponding road sections will be suspended. Depending on the actual situation, the Police may extend the closure area in the vicinity of Central in phases.

The TD urged members of the public to heed ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures which may be implemented by the Police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area at short notice, including road closures, traffic diversions, alterations or suspension of public transport services and their relevant stops, to maintain public order and safety.

Public transport service arrangements

(i) In connection with the actual road closure arrangement, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be subject to temporary diversions, suspension of services or adjustments of associated stops;

(ii) The following MTR service enhancements will be implemented on that day:

The train frequencies of MTR lines (except Airport Express) will be enhanced in phases from 3pm onwards on December 31, and the services in other periods will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;

Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tseung Kwan O Line (sections from North Point to Po Lam and from Tiu Keng Leng to LOHAS Park), South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line (section from Admiralty to Sheung Shui), Tuen Ma Line, and Light Rail route nos. 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will provide overnight services;

The last train to Lo Wu will depart from Admiralty at 0.56am on New Year's Day while the last train to Admiralty will depart from Lo Wu at 2.30am; and

The operating hours of the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and MTR Bus route nos. 506, K51 and K54A will be extended.

(iii) Eleven special bus services (including KMB route nos. N43, N64P, N71, N243, N272 and N276; Citybus route nos. NB3, R11 and R22; New Lantao Bus (NLB) route no. NB2; and Cross Harbour route no. 976S) will be operated in the small hours on New Year's Day. The service level and operating hours of various bus routes (including 18 KMB routes, two NLB routes and three Cross Harbour routes) will be strengthened or extended respectively;

(iv) The operating hours of eight GMB routes in Kowloon and the New Territories will be extended; and

(v) Cross-boundary coach operators will provide service via Shenzhen Bay Port during the small hours on New Year's Day. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang short-haul cross-boundary coach service will also be strengthened subject to passenger demand. The en-route stop of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service from Jordan to Huanggang Port (northbound) at China Ferry Terminal Bus Terminus will extend service hours on New Year's Eve till 2.30am the following day.

Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services

The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on New Year's Eve will be extended to 3am on the following day.

Due to road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Central will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.

Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application "HKeMobility".

Details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements will be uploaded to the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) and mobile application "HKeMobility". Members of the public may may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.

Source: AI-found images