A mainland Chinese woman injured while travelling in Hong Kong has become the first patient transferred from the city to the mainland under the Hospital Authority’s cross-border ambulance pilot scheme.

The patient, who requested to continue her treatment on the mainland, was transferred from Tuen Mun Hospital to Zhuhai People’s Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Hospital Authority on Thursday.

Tuen Mun Hospital’s medical team assessed her condition and coordinated with Zhuhai People’s Hospital to arrange the transfer.

The ambulance crossed the border without the patient needing to transfer vehicles, which the Hospital Authority said reduced risks during transit, as medical staff accompanied her throughout the journey.

“Ensuring a smooth and safe cross-boundary hospital transfer process represents a breakthrough in Greater Bay Area healthcare collaboration,” a Hospital Authority spokesman said.

The transfer marked the first northbound operation since the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area expanded to two-way operations on March 27.