Exodus hits Kowloon central wards

Hospitals serving many of the city's elderly are facing a chronic manpower shortage as the winter flu season nears after losing 155 staff in just six months when they were already struggling.

The exodus means the Kowloon central group of hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth in Yau Ma Tei, is still short despite recruiting 320 doctors, nurses and support staff in the same period.

Public hospitals citywide have been struggling for years to recruit staff as doctors and others are tempted by the lucrative private sector.

As with most hospitals, accident and emergency wards and internal medicine units in Kowloon central are hardest hit. "We expect the coming winter flu surge will put some pressure on us," said Dr Albert Lo Chi-yuen, the group's chief executive, as he announced plans to open more beds and offer more services to cope with flu cases.

Staff turnover for the group this year has been about 5 per cent, in line with other public hospitals. But some 155 staff have left since April, including 25 doctors. Lo said the departures included retirements, as well as staff leaving for other jobs.

Lo said the problem was compounded by a growing demand for services in the areas served, including Yau Tsim Mong and Kowloon City districts, where older people are making up a growing proportion of the population. About 62 per cent of patients came from other districts with similar demographics, such as Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong.