Guide to Ambulances for Medical Emergencies in Hong Kong
Knowing what to do during a medical emergency can make a stressful situation easier to manage, particularly if you are unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s emergency services. The most important number to remember is 999, which connects you with the police, Fire Services Department, and ambulance services.
Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department handled 811,178 ambulance calls in 2025, highlighting how important emergency ambulance services are across the city.
When Should You Call an Ambulance?
You should call an ambulance when someone has a medical emergency or injury and cannot safely seek medical attention themselves. Examples include:
- Unconsciousness or loss of consciousness
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Suspected stroke
- Suspected heart attack or other serious cardiac symptoms
- Severe injuries or bleeding
- Serious burns
- Seizures
- Other conditions requiring immediate medical attention
If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, it is safer to seek professional assistance rather than attempting to transport someone whose condition could deteriorate.
For example, Hong Kong’s government advises people to immediately call 999 for an ambulance when they encounter an unconscious person and to stay with the patient until the ambulance personnel arrive.
How to Call an Ambulance in Hong Kong
For a medical emergency, dial 999 and clearly explain what has happened. The Fire Services Department advises callers to provide:
- What happened: Explain the emergency, injury, or illness.
- Exact location: Give the address, street, building, floor, and nearby landmarks where possible.
- Patient details: Describe the patient’s age, sex, symptoms, injuries, and condition.
- Number of people involved: Tell the operator if more than one person needs assistance.
- Contact number: Provide a telephone number where the ambulance crew can reach you.
Hong Kong also has an emergency SMS service “992” for people with hearing or speech impairments.
If you are outdoors, look for nearby identifying information such as street names, building numbers, landmarks, or other location markers to help emergency crews find you.
Emergency Ambulance Services in Hong Kong
The main numbers to remember are:
| Service | Number | When to use it |
| Emergency ambulance | 999 | Medical emergencies requiring immediate assistance; Hong Kong ambulance number: 999 |
| Emergency ambulance | 1 878 000 | St John Ambulance emergency service |
| Emergency SMS | 992 | Emergency assistance for people with hearing or speech impairments |
| Non-emergency ambulance transfer | Varies by provider | Planned transfers for eligible patients who cannot use other transport |
The Fire Services Department provides emergency ambulance services throughout Hong Kong, including the outlying islands. St John Ambulance also provides a 24-hour free ambulance service on 1 878 000.
However, in a serious emergency, 999 should be your first choice rather than attempting to arrange transport through a specific provider.
What Happens When the Ambulance Arrives?
Ambulance personnel can provide pre-hospital treatment and transport patients to hospital when necessary. The hospital destination is determined according to the patient’s condition and operational considerations.
Importantly, arriving at hospital by ambulance does not automatically mean you will be seen by a doctor first. Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority hospitals use a triage system, meaning patients are assessed according to the seriousness of their condition. Someone transported by ambulance can still be classified as semi-urgent or non-urgent and may have to wait.
What About Non-Emergency Ambulance Transfers?
Emergency ambulance services are different from Non-Emergency Ambulance Transfer Services (NEATS). NEATS is designed for patients who need transportation to or from medical facilities but cannot reasonably use public transport, taxis, Rehabus, or other available options.
The Hospital Authority provides NEATS for eligible patients with mobility or certain sensory or mental impairments, including some hospital discharges, transfers, admissions, and specialist outpatient appointments. Applications are assessed by clinical staff.
For a medical emergency, however, do not use a non-emergency transfer service; call 999.
Does Health Insurance Cover Ambulance Services?
Emergency ambulance services and subsequent medical treatment are separate considerations. While Hong Kong provides emergency ambulance assistance through its public emergency services, your health insurance can still be important for covering eligible hospital treatment, private healthcare, specialist care, or treatment outside Hong Kong.
For expats, an international health insurance plan can also provide broader geographical coverage if you travel regularly or require treatment outside Hong Kong.
Key Takeaway
If you need an ambulance in Hong Kong for a medical emergency, call 999 and provide the operator with your location and details about the patient’s condition. Hong Kong’s emergency ambulance service is available 24 hours a day, while non-emergency ambulance transfers are intended for patients who need planned medical transport.
Knowing the Hong Kong ambulance number and when to use it can help you respond quickly if a medical emergency occurs.
Get The Right Health Insurance For Life in Hong Kong
Knowing how to call an ambulance is an essential part of preparing for life in Hong Kong, but having appropriate health insurance can provide additional financial protection when you need medical care.
Pacific Prime Hong Kong can help you compare health insurance options from leading international insurers based on your healthcare needs, budget, and preferred level of coverage.
Contact Pacific Prime Hong Kong today to compare your options and find a plan suited to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ambulance number in Hong Kong is 999. This connects you to Hong Kong’s emergency services, including the Fire Services Department ambulance service, for medical emergencies requiring immediate assistance.
You should call an ambulance when someone has a serious medical emergency or injury and cannot safely get to medical care themselves. This can include unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulties, suspected strokes or heart attacks, serious injuries, severe bleeding, burns, or seizures.
Hong Kong has non-emergency ambulance transfer services for eligible patients who need planned medical transportation. These services are intended for patients who cannot reasonably use public transport, taxis, Rehabus, or other available transport.
Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.
Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.
Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.
Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.
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