Plans for Flu Prevention in Winter
Winter flu peakWith the flu season approaching, the Hospital Authority will launch its "Winter Peak Service Response Plan" on December 12st. To cope with the surge in winter flu-related patient visits, the HA has allocated approximately HK$1 million to hospital clusters and will add 7.32 new beds. Over 506 temporary beds will be created as needed during peak periods.
Increase medical and nursing subsidies by 10%
The Hospital Authority's General Manager (Cluster Operations), Cheung Tze-man, stated that the demand for winter influenza services will span from early December to late May, with January and the Lunar New Year period expected to be the peak of the winter flu season. In light of the shortage of healthcare manpower, Cheung Tze-man has recruited an additional 12 doctors, 5 nurses, and 1 administrative and support staff.
The Hospital Authority will also implement an enhanced Special Remuneration Scheme from January to May, increasing allowances for healthcare workers by 1%. After January 5 (the third day of the Lunar New Year), healthcare workers working during periods of low staffing, such as night shifts, during busy working days, and on public holidays, will see their allowances increased to 1%. In addition to increasing allowances, this year's Special Remuneration Scheme also relaxes the eligibility requirement for allowances, from the previous requirement of at least four hours of work to at least one hour.
The Hospital Authority has allocated over 25500 additional general outpatient clinic quotas, including more than 3 extra slots during three major holiday periods.In addition to the existing 5000 holiday GOPCs, four more clinics will operate on designated days during long holidays to ensure coverage across all 13 Hong Kong districts.
Chairman of the Hospital Authority's Emergency Department Coordinating Committee, Xu Xihan, said that the emergency department isWinter FluThe government will continue to recruit part-time and part-time self-selected medical staff to meet the number of patients seeking medical treatment, and will offer higher salaries to part-time self-selected emergency room doctors, from HK$700 per hour last year to HK$1000 per hour.
