Primary Healthcare Commission to Enhance Elderly Healthcare Services with New Integration Model in Phases

Primary Healthcare Commission to integrate Hong Kong's primary healthcare services for elderly people in phases

The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau announced today (August 18) that primary healthcare services for the elderly in Hong Kong will be further enhanced. Starting from October 5 (Monday), the services of Elderly Health Centres (EHCs) under the Department of Health (DH) will be gradually integrated into the district health network, providing more comprehensive primary healthcare services for the elderly under a new service model.

The Primary Healthcare Commission, Photo source: online image

The Health Bureau, Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Substantial increase in service points and service capacity

The integration of elderly health services aims to implement the primary healthcare direction put forward by the Chief Executive in the Policy Address, and to take forward the measures set out in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint. The PHC Commission will integrate nine EHCs, namely those in North District, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun Wu Hong, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Shing, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Shau Kei Wan and Aberdeen (see Annex 1) in the first phase. Integration of the remaining nine EHCs will be completed within 2027-28.

Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Upon completion of the integration, the number of service points will increase substantially from the current 18 to more than 100, covering District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs) across all 18 districts in Hong Kong and designated Hospital Authority (HA) Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs), among others. The overall capacity for elderly health services will also double, increasing from the current approximately 54 000 elderly persons per year to more than 120 000. The service flow of chronic disease management and health assessment services after integration is as follows (see Annex 2).

Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Arrangements for integrating chronic disease management services

Elderly persons who have follow-up consultations or examinations at the nine EHCs in the first phase may continue to attend their appointments at the EHCs on the scheduled dates. Starting from October 5 this year, after the elderly persons have completed their follow-up consultations, the DHCs will co-ordinate their subsequent follow-ups. Upon registration as DHC members for free, the elderly persons can directly enter the treatment phase of the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme after assessment, and receive follow-up care from a community family doctor of their choice. In addition, arrangements will be made for elderly persons receiving follow-up consultations at both an EHC under the DH and an FMC under the HA, to continue their follow-up care at the FMC.

Photo source: reference image

Arrangements for integrating health assessment service

For members who have appointments for health assessment services at the EHCs, the DH will continue to provide services. Members awaiting an appointment date and elderly persons interested in using EHC services will receive services at the DHCs starting from December this year. The PHC Commission will roll out more comprehensive elderly health assessment services. The scope of assessments provided by the DHCs will be expanded from the current domains of cognition, mobility and vision to cover nutrition, hearing, psychological capacity and urinary problems. Healthcare professionals will formulate tailored management plans for the elderly persons based on the assessment results. Details will be announced later.

Service arrangements for underprivileged elderly

Elderly persons who are recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, recipients of the Old Age Living Allowance aged 75 or above, or holder of valid medical fee waiver certificates will, upon registering as DHC members, be arranged to receive preventive elderly health services and assessments at designated HA FMCs. Subject to their eligibility, the relevant fees may be fully or partially waived.

Photo source: reference image

Follow-up work

The PHC Commission, together with the DH, will gradually issue letters to EHC members in the coming weeks to inform them of the service integration and subsequent follow-up arrangements. Meanwhile, the EHCs will update their signage, and the PHC Commission will also progressively refurbish the existing facilities and environment of the EHCs. Relevant information has already also been uploaded to the EHC website and the DHC website. Members of the public may also visit or call the EHCs and DHCs (see Annex 3) for enquiries. They may also call the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network enquiry line at 2157 0500, which operates from 9am to 9pm on Mondays to Saturdays (except public holidays).

Source; HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Development Fund-financed "Wakesurf Lovers" premieres locally

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC):

The local premiere of "Wakesurf Lovers", which has funding support from the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan) under the Film Development Fund (FDF), will be held this evening (August 18).

"Wakesurf Lovers" is directed and written by Fung Chih-chiang and produced by Philip Yung, starring Jeffrey Ngai, Renci Yeung, Kevin Chu and Henick Chou. The story follows a female wakesurf instructor who is a victim of online bullying. But then one of the trolls gets to know the truth and learns wakesurfing from her, and gradually becomes her supporter. The film will be officially theatrically released in Hong Kong on August 27.

The Chairman of the HKFDC, Dr Wilfred Wong, said that "Wakesurf Lovers" blends elements of youth growth with sports and prompts the audience to reflect on online culture, while showcasing the coastal scenery of Hong Kong. The HKFDC will continue to nurture emerging talent through the FDF to support the long-term development of the local film industry.

The official poster of "Wakesurf Lovers," Photo source: online image