Secretary of Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today said a trial run of a proposed direct cross-boundary ambulance service may begin as early as the end of April or early in May.
 

Prof Lo made the remarks at a media session after the 14th Legislative Council Ante Chamber Exchange Session, in which a range of topics were discussed, including cross-boundary medical collaboration, the development of eHealth+, district governance, youth affairs, and the latest work plan of the Tourism Commission and the Leisure & Cultural Services Department. 
 

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung, and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak, also attended the exchange session.
 

The health chief said that in light of the development of the Greater Bay Area and the increase in Hong Kong citizens travelling, residing, retiring and living in it, the Government sees increasing demand for cross-boundary healthcare services, including the need for some inpatients in hospitals to be transported across the boundary.
 

He noted that the current arrangement is far from satisfactory insofar as patients have to change ambulances at the boundary area, which sometimes creates concern over the quality of care and the safety of patients. Hence, the Government is planning and will soon implement a point-to-point transfer service between dedicated hospitals in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau.
 

The health chief revealed that the pilot scheme will first involve patients coming back from Shenzhen or Macau to Hong Kong.