The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today conducted a drill for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area, simulating the transfer of patients under the cross-boundary ambulance arrangement.

The drill, conducted in collaboration with the governments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen, ran smoothly in general.

It tested the routing of the cross-boundary ambulance between the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) and Tuen Mun Hospital and Hong Kong Children's Hospital as well as the immigration arrangements of the ambulance to and from Hong Kong.

After departure from HKU-SZH this morning, the designated Shenzhen cross-boundary ambulance travelled to Tuen Mun Hospital via Shenzhen Bay Port and headed to Hong Kong Children's Hospital, before returning to HKU-SZH via Shenzhen Bay Port.

Noting that there is no direct cross-boundary ambulance arrangement for the transfer of patients by land between Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as Macau, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the handover of patients can only proceed at boundary control points under the vehicle-to-vehicle mode.

However, he stressed that such a vehicle-to-vehicle mode may pose medical risks to certain patients with special medical needs.

“With the further integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and more frequent travelling of residents within the GBA, the Hong Kong SAR Government is determined to rationalise the relevant cross-boundary transfer arrangement which has been an issue of public concern for years,” Prof Lo said.

“I am glad that Guangdong and Hong Kong took the lead in conducting a successful drill today through the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government to gear up for the official launch of the pilot scheme," he added.

Upon reviewing today’s drill arrangement, the Hong Kong SAR Government may conduct another drill with the relevant Mainland authorities if necessary with the aim of launching the one-year pilot scheme within this year.