XN000022-1996-02-07 — Page 44

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Policy on development of ambulance service

Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Wong and a written reply by the Security for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council what is the policy on the development of ambulance service in the territory?

Reply:

The Government's policy on the development of ambulance service is based mainly on the conclusions of two consultancy studies, carried out in 1986 and 1995 respectively.

Stemming from the recommendations of the 1986 consultancy study, the following main policy guidelines were established:

(i)

(ii)

a ten minute travel time target, within which 95% of emergency calls should be answered, should be adopted throughout the territory;

ambulance depots should continue to be built in strategic locations, with temporary use of fire stations to station ambulances;

(iii) non-emergency calls should be responded to as soon as practicable without jeopardising the resources for responding to emergency calls, which must be accorded higher priority;

(iv)

(v)

the quality of pre-hospital care to patients should be improved by expanding the existing paramedic ambulance service on a phased basis; and

the Fire Service Communication Centre (FSCC) should ensure effective mobilising and control of ambulance resources and should provide operational information on ambulance services.

The delivery of ambulance services was reviewed by a consultancy study in 1995. The Executive Summary of this consultancy study was circulated to Honourable members on 13 November 1995. A list of the various recommendations are annexed.