Occupational therapists and physiotherapists participating in primary healthcare programmes must be enlisted in Primary Care Directory and join eHealth from July 2
The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau announced today (June 25) that, starting from July 2, occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) participating in government-subsidised primary healthcare programmes (including the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme, and the allied health services of the Chronic Disease Co-care Pilot Scheme and District Health Centres) must first be enlisted in the Primary Care Directory (PCD) and join eHealth. To allow sufficient time for the professions to complete the enrolment process, a two-month grace period until September 1 will be provided. The PHC Commission encourages OTs and PTs to register as early as possible, so that they can continue to provide relevant government-subsidised services to members of the public.
The Primary Healthcare Blueprint recommended expanding the PCD to cover more healthcare professionals and developing sub-directories for allied health professionals, including OTs and PTs, with a view to ensuring their participation in continuing medical education or continuing professional development programmes relevant to their disciplines, thereby enhancing the quality of primary healthcare services. In addition, the Blueprint recommended requiring all primary healthcare service providers to use eHealth to promote continuity of healthcare services and cross-sector collaboration.
To minimise the impact on citizens enjoying the subsidised services concerned, the PHC Commission has maintained close communication with the OT and PT professions through different channels since March to introduce them to the details of the new requirements and assist them in enlisting in the PCD and/or joining eHealth. Those OTs and PTs currently participating in relevant government-subsidised programmes but who are yet to be enlisted in the PCD and join eHealth by the end of the grace period (i.e. from September 2 onwards) will no longer be able to offer those government-subsidised primary healthcare services to their patients.
Members of the public may enquire with their OTs or PTs or visit the PCD website (apps.pcdirectory.gov.hk/Public/EN) to confirm whether they are enlisted in the PCD, to ensure that they can continue receiving the relevant subsidised services from the same OT or PT after the grace period.
The PCD is a web-based database containing practice information and professional qualifications of primary healthcare service providers in the community. It enables members of the public to look for service providers' information, such as their practice addresses, telephone numbers, consultation hours, and service provisions, as well as their participation in various government-subsidised programmes, and to choose a suitable primary healthcare service provider according to their personal needs. Subsequent to the establishment of sub-directories for OTs and PTs, the Government will continue to develop sub-directories for other healthcare professionals in phases, with a view to promoting multidisciplinary collaboration in providing comprehensive primary healthcare services to members of the public.
