Deputy Secretary for Security Carol Yuen says the Government will increase resource allocation to ambulance service if it launches the proposed medical priority dispatch system.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Ms Yuen said the proposed system's implementation will require more manpower, enhanced public education and staff training, as well as procuring and developing the software to support the system.

Subject to the public's views on the dispatch framework and the future ambulance service demand, the Government will determine how much additional resources to be allocated.

According to the proposed system, emergency ambulance calls will be categorised into three categories - "response 1" calls for critical or life-threatening cases, "response 2" calls for serious but non-life-threatening cases, and "response 3" calls for non-acute cases.

Noting the Fire Services Department handles 1,640 emergency ambulance calls daily, Deputy Director of Fire Services Chan Chor-kam said about 30% should be classified as "response 1" calls under the proposed system. About 20% are "response 2" calls and the rest are "response 3" cases.

When dealing with "response 3" calls, ambulances will still be dispatched as requested and the callers will be given first-aid advice. If a patient's condition deteriorates, the caller can contact the control centre to re-assess the situation.

Reiterating the Government attaches great importance to ambulance-services provision, Ms Yuen said there was a 5% rise in manpower from 2006 to 2009. A total of 120 additional ambulanceman posts will be created in the 2009-10 financial year. New ambulances will also be delivered to Hong Kong in phases.