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The current efforts in developing the ambulance service were also concentrated in hiving off the remaining non-emergency ambulance services, he added.
Noting that the Hospital Authority had completed taking over all its non- emergency services in October 1995, Mr Lai said: "We are now pursuing the hiving off of the remaining non-emergency caseload, so that the Ambulance Command of the Fire Services Department may focus its resources on emergency ambulance services."
The Government will also try to achieve efficiency improvements in the short term through a better distribution of ambulance stations, more effective deployment of personnel and similar management initiatives.
The 1995 consultancy study also recommended the following long-term measures to develop the ambulance services:
To provide an additional 31 ambulances and crew and 10 ambulance aid motorcycles, identified as necessary to meet the 95 per cent performance target.
To adopt a new establishment manning formula that will allow for relief for staff absences, including training, leave and sickness.
To plan for new ambulance depots at North Point, Sheung Wan, Kwai Chung and Kowloon Tong.
To extend paramedic services, which are currently provided in up to 13 per cent of the total ambulance flect, to all ambulances and ambulance aid motorcycles.
End