Ambulance crews extremely stretched, says FSD

The Fire Services Department said on Thursday that its ambulance crews are extremely stretched due to the current wave of Covid-19 infections.

Assistant director Ng Hau-ming said officers from different teams have been drafted in to help, and a command room has been set up to coordinate their efforts.

Ng said the number of officers on each ambulance has been cut from three to two.

He told RTHK that ambulance trips can now take double or triple the usual time, because officers need to gown up and disinfect their vehicle after taking Covid patients to hospital.

“The wait is rather long because our officers have to wait at the hospital for medical staff to take the patient and the hospitals are all packed,” Ng said.

“We’ve come across situations where seven or eight ambulances are all parked outside A&E, waiting.”

He said some new recruits who are yet to complete their training have been assigned to help, but only in back office supportive roles.

Ng also said his department has rented coaches and minibuses to help transport non-emergency patients, so that ambulances can focus on urgent cases.

He stressed that officers have ensured that these rented vehicles have proper ventilation and the use of them has not increased infection risks.