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The HKSI and Union Hospital announced they have entered into an agreement, marking a crucial first step in their partnership in offering medical care for the HKSI’s athletes whose injuries or illnesses require immediate medical treatments.

The agreement, which is effective from 2015, provides a channel for athletes to receive emergency medical treatment at Union Emergency Medicine Centre.  This agreement covers a range of medical services, including 24-hour emergency medical treatments, immediate medical treatments for sports injuries and emergency medical treatments at night.  Athletes can be referred to other specialties or even admitted to Union Hospital, if deemed necessary.  Union Hospital also offers the HKSI athletes a discount on medical treatments and hospital charges.

Dr Clara Wu Wing-yee, Head, Department of Emergency Medicine of Union Hospital said, “This collaboration marks the first-of-its-kind relationship between medical and sports sectors in Hong Kong to work on athletes’ healthcare services.  Union Hospital is pleased to partner with the HKSI. By providing professional emergency medical services to local athletes, the Hospital plays a significant role in the development of sports medicine in Hong Kong.  Union Hospital, the first and only private acute general hospital located in the Eastern New Territories of Hong Kong, is always a forerunner to introduce unique and innovative medical services in Hong Kong.  With the advantage of location, athletes from the HKSI can receive timely emergency medical services provided by the Hospital.  Furthermore, Union Emergency Medicine Centre is the first and only private emergency medicine centre accredited by the Department of Health and Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine.  The Centre is run by a team of experienced emergency medicine specialists with support from the Hospital’s medical experts and specialists, offering high quality and reliable services to athletes across different fields.”

Dr Raymond So, Director of Elite Training Science & Technology of the HKSI appreciates the commitment of Union Hospital to the medical care of Hong Kong elite athletes.  He said, “The HKSI has been providing a spectrum of medical supports for athletes, including physical examinations, clinic services, orthopaedic consultations, physiotherapy, Chinese medicine, Chinese manual therapy, rehabilitative training, therapeutic exercise and sports massage, so that athletes can receive treatments promptly and return to their optimal states through various rehabilitative training.  Hence, this cooperation with Union Hospital further empowers the HKSI’s sports medicine support system by adding a new element of emergency medical treatments.  We strongly believe such a strengthened medical support system will be a shot in the arm for athletes’ training and competitions, enhancing their continuous excellence in sports.”

This agreement highlights the HKSI’s continuous commitment to provide an environment in which sports talent can be identified, nurtured, and developed to pursue excellence in the international sporting arena through international exchanges and collaboration with different parties to enhance the elite training and support systems.