Hong Kong elderly should have shorter waiting time at A&E departments, better supported carers, advocacy group says
- Elderly residents attending event organised by Society for Community Organisation recount difficulties they face in trying to book emergency medical services
- Government also urged to relax requirements for caretakers applying for Special Care Subsidy Scheme
Hong Kong authorities should improve care for elderly residents by shortening their waiting time at public outpatient clinics and ramping up support for people who look after them, an advocacy group has said.
Elderly residents speaking at a media event organised by the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) on Tuesday also expressed reservations over a proposed increase in the fee for accident and emergency (A&E) services, saying the hike might deter them from seeking urgent help.
Chow Siu-wan, 66, said she faced immense difficulties trying to book an appointment for outpatient clinic services as she was unfamiliar with using the Hospital Authority’s online system and could only call the hotline.
“Every day at 10am, I try to call to make a booking,” she said. “But if I cannot get through to someone within the first 30 seconds, it will be fully booked.”
She only managed to book an appointment after calling the hotline for three days, she said. After her consultation, she was referred to another hospital to undergo an X-ray, but had to wait a few months to do the scan, Chow added.
