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(b)
(c)
(d)
whether the setting up of a polyclinic in a district is determined according to it population size;
of the criteria for determining the need for providing both day-time and night-time consultation services in polyclinics; and
how public hospitals and district polyclinics complement each other in providing medical services for the public?
Reply:
The term "polyclinics" is used to describe clinics which provide more than two types of medical services. At present, there are six polyclinics offering a wide range of primary health care services such as general out-patient consultation, tuberculosis and chest service, social hygiene and special skin service. The Department of Health is providing both day and evening consultation service. Among 60 general out-patient clinics in the territory, six are located within polyclinics while 18 are providing both day and evening service.
According to the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, one general out-patient clinic is normally provided for every 100,000 persons. In determining whether evening service should be provided at each clinic, due consideration will be given to relevant factors including utilisation pattern of existing facilities, location and accessibility of the clinic as well as other service providers in the vicinity.
A referral system is already in place so that patients requiring specialist care may be transferred from general out-patient clinics to medical institutions managed by the Hospital Authority for further treatment. A similar mechanism also exists whereby patients discharged from public hospitals with stable conditions can be followed up in the primary health setting. Information about the medical condition and treatment of patients will be exchanged in order to ensure continuity of care. Needless to say, this arrangement will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing circumstances.
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