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Health care services for elderly
Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li Wah-ming and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
According to the findings of a recent survey conducted by a voluntary agency on the opinions of the elderly regarding the provision of primary health services, an elderly patient has to wait on average for nearly four hours for a general out-patient consultation. The survey also shows that there are two health centres for the elderly in the territory and they also provide medical services at a concessionary rate to the elderly aged 65 and above. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Mr President,
(a)
whether consideration will be given to setting up more health centres for the elderly in various districts; if not, why not;
whether funds will be allocated from the Lotteries Fund and the Elderly Services Development Fund to non-governmental organisations for the provision of health care services for the elderly; and
whether consideration will be given to lowering to 60 the age requirement for eligibility to receive medical services at a concessionary rate, so as to reduce the demand for general out-patient services, if not, why not?
The Governor, in his Policy Address in 1993, announced that seven elderly health centres will be set up by 1997 as a pilot scheme to promote the health & well-being of elderly persons in the community. Four centres are already in operation and the remaining three will be set up this year. Unlike curative services provided at general out-patient clinics, the services of the elderly health centres emphasise disease prevention amongst the elderly. They provide clients with the knowledge and skills of self-care and healthy life style practices and the venues for health assessment and disease screening. The operational experience of these centres will enable Department of Health to examine the practicability of integrating disease prevention programmes for the elderly with general out-patient clinics to provide for more accessible services in various districts.