The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
　　The Hospital Authority (HA) today (December 23) announces that in view of the increased demand during the winter surge in public hospitals, the general out-patient clinic (GOPC) service will be enhanced during the Christmas holidays. An addition of over 1 800 consultation quotas will be provided during the Christmas holidays. Furthermore, three additional GOPCs will provide service during the long holidays, i.e. 16 clinics in total (see table below) will remain open to meet the service needs of the public and alleviate the service pressure of Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the HA Central Coordinating Committee (A&E), Dr Tsui Sik-hon, reminded the public to refrain from excessive alcohol consumption during the festive celebrations.
　　An HA spokesperson said the public could browse the website of Primary Care Directory of the Food and Health Bureau at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk to find an appropriate family doctor and the related clinic service.
　　As Christmas is approaching, Dr Tsui reminded the public to avoid excessive drinking. "Excessive alcohol will impair one's brain function. It may result in a headache, vomiting, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, coma or even alcohol intoxication which could be life-threatening. Underage drinking is particularly harmful to brain development." He added that drinking cannot generate warmth as alcohol would dilate blood vessels and lower body temperature.
　　Dr Tsui also appealed to the public to avoid driving after drinking or during an alcohol hangover to help prevent the occurrence of traffic accidents.
　　With the approach of the influenza season, he also reminded the general public to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible to protect themselves and others. Travellers returning to Hong Kong with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear face masks, seek medical attention and disclose their travel history to healthcare staff when seeking medical consultation.
General out-patient clinic service during Christmas holidays (December 25 and 26)
| Clinics | Telephone number for booking | General enquiry | |
| Hong Kong Island | |||
| Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0077 | 2560 0211 | |
| Violet Peel General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0000 | 3553 3116 | |
| Aberdeen Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3543 5011 | 2555 0381 | |
| Kennedy Town Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic * | 3543 5088 | 2817 3215 | |
| Kowloon | |||
| Kwun Tong Community Health Centre | 3157 0687 | 2389 0331 | |
| Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic | 3157 0118 | 2354 2267 | |
| Robert Black General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0113 | 2383 3311 | |
| Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0880 | 2272 2400 | |
| New Territories | |||
| Lady Trench General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0107 | 2614 4789 | |
| Lek Yuen General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0972 | 2692 8730 | |
| Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0965 | 2670 0211 | |
| Tai Po Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic | 3157 0906 | 2664 2039 | |
| Tuen Mun Clinic | 3543 0886 | 2452 9111 | |
| Yuen Long Jockey Club Health Centre | 3543 5007 | 2443 8511 | |
| Ha Kwai Chung General Out-patient Clinic # | 3157 0100 | 3651 5411 | |
| Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) General Out-patient Clinic * | 3157 0660 | 2191 1083 | |
# Will provide clinic service on December 25
* Will provide clinic service on December 26
Consultation Hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
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