Update on Median Waiting Time for Hospital Admission and Proposal for More Day or Home Care Services for Elderly Sick

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Health in relation to admission to public hospitals between November 2023 and December 2023 (a) whether there was an increase in median waiting time for hospital admission compared with the median waiting time for previous months in 2023; and (b) whether more day care and home care services may be made available to families caring for sick elderly or disabled relatives during festive periods to avoid non-emergency admissions.

The median waiting time for beds increased by 2.4 hours from November 2023 to December 2023. This is due to the increased number of patients requiring hospitalisations during the recent COVID-19 wave.

Nevertheless, hospitals will activate inpatient teams to start investigations for all patients in the Emergency Departments and prioritise treatments for the urgent cases.

Day and home care services are available during festive periods. The capacity, however, is dependent on the number of centres we have established and are in operation. The Ministry of Health has expanded centre capacity by more than four-fold from 2,100 day places in 2011 to 9,200 day places in 2023. Loved ones of individuals with care needs may approach any Agency for Integrated Care Link for assistance.