Backbone support for the community
At a time when A&E departments and in-patient services of hospitals are under immense pressure due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, back-up support in the community is of particular importance. The HA has activated designated clinics for COVID-19 confirmed cases (DCs) in various districts since February as well as hotlines for people who have tested positive. The nursing team from the Patient Support Call Centre reviews the list of confirmed cases and proactively contacts patients in high-risk groups to provide support to them, while an enquiry hotline – 1836115 – provides medical information to confirmed patients and referrals for teleconsultations where needed. Besides, Isolation Care Monitoring System was launched for the confirmed patients to report serious symptoms. The system also provides health advice.
Compassionate and reasonable arrangement in DCs for families
Aberdeen Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic is one of the DCs. Dr Welchie Ko, Chief of Service of the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare in the Hong Kong West Cluster, recalls COVID-19 confirmed cases previously went to A&E departments regardless of the severity of their symptoms. Since the activation of DCs, family doctors are able to provide treatment for confirmed patients with mild symptoms, thus relieving the pressure on hospitals. “It was a big challenge to activate DCs in such a short period of time, but thanks to the thorough planning and preparation by our dedicated colleagues, the operation has been smooth,” says Dr Ko.
Flexible arrangements are essential for patients with different needs, especially for elderly and paediatric patients, he explains. For example, on the first day of DC operation, two children aged two to three confirmed with COVID-19 were brought to the clinic by their parents. As the parents had not been infected, only the infected paediatric were supposedly allowed to enter the consultation room, which is classified as high-risk area. “However, we understood that parental care was essential for the children. We therefore immediately arranged a separate room in a less crowded and rather remote area for the whole family,” says Dr Ko, “by complying with infection control measures, such as wearing masks properly, the children, accompanied by their parents, were able to receive consultation and collect medication as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection for the parents while ensuring the children received appropriate treatment.”
Flexible arrangements are essential for patients with different needs, especially for elderly and paediatric patients, he explains. For example, on the first day of DC operation, two children aged two to three confirmed with COVID-19 were brought to the clinic by their parents. As the parents had not been infected, only the infected paediatric were supposedly allowed to enter the consultation room, which is classified as high-risk area. “However, we understood that parental care was essential for the children. We therefore immediately arranged a separate room in a less crowded and rather remote area for the whole family,” says Dr Ko, “by complying with infection control measures, such as wearing masks properly, the children, accompanied by their parents, were able to receive consultation and collect medication as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection for the parents while ensuring the children received appropriate treatment.”
Interview video