New arrangement for Hongkongers needing emergency medical assistance while in Shenzhen

Hongkongers seeking emergency medical assistance in Guangdong and requiring treatment in Hong Kong will be transferred to the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, before being sent back across the border via ambulance to the SAR, the Health Bureau announced.

Patients in Macau can also be transferred to Hong Kong via an ambulance from the Hospital Centre S. Januario.

In a document submitted to the Legislative Council Panel on Health Services, the bureau said the cross-border ambulance trial scheme is expected to be launched mid-year.

The trial scheme will involve collaboration between Shenzhen authorities, Macau authorities, and the SAR.

It will be initially implemented for a year, after which the feasibility and effectiveness of the arrangement will be assessed.

Based on the outcomes, the authorities will determine whether to expand the program to other hospitals or extend the service to patients from Hong Kong who need treatment in Shenzhen and Macau.

At present Hongkongers seeking emergency medical services in the SAR while in the mainland must approach the Immigration Department or border checkpoint personnel.

The Fire Services Department then dispatches ambulances to transport patients from the border to nearby public hospitals. However, this existing system poses challenges for those with special requirements and potentially exposes them to significant risks requiring improvements.

"The arrangement is not feasible for patients with special medical needs and could bring significant risks," the bureau said.