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Medical treatment for chronic patients
Following is a question by the Hon Ambrose Lau Hon-chuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is learnt that at present, the majority of patients suffering from chronic illnesses have to wait for six to twelve months for a follow-up consultation at public clinics under the management of the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Department of Health (DH). In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
(c)
of the total number of chronically-ill patients attending such clinics for medical consultation in each of the past three years, and the major types of their illnesses;
whether any guidelines have been issued by the HA and DH regarding the waiting time for chronically-ill patients seeking follow-up consultations; if so, whether the current waiting time for such consultations is in line with the standard stipulated in the guidelines; and
given that the territory's population is ageing and the number of chronically-ill patients may continue to rise, whether the Government will adopt any measures to reduce the waiting time for chronically-ill patients seeking follow-up consultations?
Given the lack of a clear definition of "chronic illnesses", the term "chronic patients" has often been used in a general context to refer to those requiring regular medical care on a long-term basis. Some examples of the major illnesses involved are hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, ischaemic heart disease and
renal failure.
All patients, including those commonly referred to by people as "chronic patients", may obtain medical treatment and consultation at public clinics. Specialist clinics run by the Hospital Authority cover a full range of clinical specialties, while those operated by the Department of Health are only designed to cater for general
cases.