165.         To ensure that patients in serious condition will receive immediate treatment, the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of public hospitals has put in place a triage system to classify patients' clinical condition into five categories. The HA has been able to meet its waiting time target for critical, emergency and urgent cases. To shorten the waiting time for semi-urgent and non-urgent cases, last year the HA increased the manpower in the A&E department and, after drawing reference from overseas healthcare models, enhanced the support for the nursing grade staff and other para-medical personnel in the A&E department. It has also enhanced support for auxiliary medical services during flu seasons. Starting from the first quarter of this year, the HA will provide healthcare personnel with a special overtime honorarium in order to add more consultation sessions during peak hours to further improve A&E services.

166.         Since its establishment over 20 years ago, the HA has been providing quality healthcare services with international acclaim. In view of the ageing population and the changing public needs for healthcare services, we will set up a steering committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the operation of the HA to explore viable measures for enhancing the cost-effectiveness and quality of its services.

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