Hong Kong mulls over measures to meet surging healthcare demand

Demand for public hospital services will be on peak this summer.

The Hospital Authority is exploring measures to tackle the surge in demand for public hospital services during the summer peak influenza season.

Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan told the media today she met with the authority and the Centre for Health Protection this morning to discuss the seasonal flu situation.

In addition to enhancing existing measures, the authority is considering bringing in manpower from outside agencies.

Prof Chan said: "For example, doctors of the Department of Health may use their outside office time to help the authority in their general out-patient clinics.

"Another possibility is to work with private hospitals to increase the number of beds."

The authority is also hiring more part-time healthcare professionals, she added.