Holiday clinics to operate on day following Mid-autumn Festival – Hospital Authority reminds public on festival safety tips

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson reminds members of the public today (September 11) that 13 general out-patient clinics (see table below) under the HA will continue to provide services on the holiday following the Mid-autumn Festival this Saturday (September 14). Patients seeking medical consultation could make an advance booking for an appointment through the telephone system as usual. A public hospital emergency physician also urges the public to stay vigilant during the festival to prevent accidents, in particular, not to play with burning wax and to handle glow sticks carefully to prevent accidental ingestion or splashing chemicals into eyes.
 
     The HA spokesperson adds that A&E Departments of public hospitals will also remain open as usual to serve the public with urgent medical needs during the holiday following the Mid-autumn Festival. The latest A&E waiting time information is available on the HA website and the 'HA Touch' mobile App. As an alternative, non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultation at general out-patient clinics or primary clinics of private doctors. To help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic service of their choice, public are welcome browse the Primary Care Directory of the Department of Health at http://www.pcdirectory.gov.hk.
 
     With the approach of the Mid-autumn Festival, the Chairman of the HA Central Coordinating Committee (A&E), Dr Tsui Sik-hon, advises the public that burning wax is a highly dangerous activity. It could cause burn injuries with permanent scars. In severe cases, the mobility of limbs may also be affected. The temperature of hot wax is higher than that of boiling water. It can possibly lead to third-degree (severe level) burns. Patients with third-degree burns will have their dermis and skin nerves seriously damaged, and the wound will not be able to heal by itself. These patients will require prolonged treatment.
 
     "In case of accidental burns, patients are advised to take some simple first-aid measures, such as rinsing the wound gently with clean water, or wrapping the wound with clean gauze or plastic wrap to minimise the risk of infection," Dr Tsui added.

     While glow sticks are frequently used during the festival for fun, Dr Tsui reminds the public to handle glow sticks carefully and avoid overbending them. The chemicals in a broken glow stick may splash into the eyes, causing injury to the cornea and impairment of vision. Parents should prevent children from accidentally ingesting the chemicals of glow sticks. The chemicals can cause irritation and mouth pain as well as dizziness from significant exposure.
 
     "Anyone who has been accidentally splashed by chemicals in the eyes should rinse with clean water for 10 to 15 minutes immediately, and seek medical consultation as soon as possible. People should dispose of the glow sticks properly after the festival as with time, glow sticks will wear out and break more easily from bending," said Dr Tsui.
 

 
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