The Department of Health said on Sunday that around 1,700 staff members have been deployed to two test events at the Kai Tak Sports Park - but it stressed that this had "not in any way" affected the treatment of patients.

The clarification came after multiple media reports suggested some patients had to reschedule their bookings because medical staff were drafted in to take part in upcoming drills to gauge the park's crowd management measures.

In a statement, the department confirmed that staff will be sent to drills on January 24 and February 4.

It said minor adjustments were made to the appointment dates for non-therapeutic student health services with the consent of service recipients.

"All have been agreed by the members of the public concerned and only two appointments will be postponed by one working day, while the others will be brought forward by two to 10 working days," the statement read.

The department stressed that the Student Health Service provides regular health assessment and health education of a preventive nature.

That said, it pledged to make more careful planning and strengthen internal co-ordination when deploying staff for future drills, so as to minimise disruption to public services.