'Seek Help Of Private Hospitals To Battle Flu'

A patients' welfare group has called on the authorities to seek the help of private hospitals during the ongoing flu outbreak, saying government-run facilities are on the brink of collapse with their current workload.

This came after the authorities said on Tuesday that people turning up at major public hospitals may have to wait as long as eight hours before getting to see a doctor after an increase in the number of flu cases.

The situation improved on Wednesday but people heading to major facilities were still facing hours-long waits.

The chairman of Hong Kong Patients' Voices, Alex Lam, also expressed the hope that the government won't just give more funds to hospitals in its budget next week, but will have a more detailed plan on how to spend the money.

He also told RTHK's Janice Wong that although a planned voluntary health insurance scheme will be helpful, it may lead to an increase in demand for private hospital services, which in turn will deprive public hospitals of more personnel.