The resources of the accident and emergency (A&E) departments of public hospitals should mainly be catered for patients who need urgent attention and fees may need to be adjusted for those with less urgent needs if they seek treatment there.
 
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau made the statement when speaking to reporters after attending a radio programme today.
 
He noted that in the A&E departments, a triage system is in place wherein patients of categories I, II and III should be managed within a reasonable time under the service pledges, adding that zero waiting time is promised for patients under triage category I.
 
“We must ensure that these critically-ill patients are taken care of immediately, but unfortunately at this time we have 60% of the patients attending the accident and emergency departments who are non-urgent patients or are all mild disease patients, like patients with flu, fever or rather mild symptoms.”
 
After stating that non-urgent patients, classified as categories IV and V, amount to 60% of the patients attending the A&E departments, Prof Lo explained that it is a substantial drain on the hospital resources and is causing a huge burden on the healthcare professionals and concerns about infection control.
 
“So we would like to emphasise that the resources of our accident and emergency departments should be catered for the need of those categories I to III patients mainly. And for these categories IV to V patients, we would consider adjusting the fees and charges, so as to serve as a guiding force for them not to so easily walk into the A&E department for healthcare service.”
 
With regard to minor illnesses, the health chief called on citizens to change their habits when it comes to managing their health themselves.
 
“They should be able to think about managing their own health conditions and seeking healthcare services from the general outpatient clinics or their family doctors, rather than easily walking into the accident and emergency department and causing a burden on the whole healthcare system.”