XN000022-1996-01-31 — Page 46

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Home care for hospital patients

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council whether it has conducted any study on the viability and feasibility of promoting "home care" for hospital patients who can be provided with medical and nursing services at home rather than in hospital; if so, what is the outcome of the study?

Reply:

Government is mindful of the need to keep in view developments of new medical technology or treatment which will reduce the length of hospital stay and enable patients to recover in a community setting. However, this must be balanced against the availability of professional manpower, local living conditions, social circumstances and individual patient needs.

The Hospital Authority has taken positive steps in recent years to expand ambulatory care such as day surgery and geriatric/psychiatric day hospitals, as well as to strengthen outreach programmes including community nursing service and specialist medical teams. Both of these new initiatives are intended to complement the home care services offered by welfare agencies, community carers, volunteer groups and the private sector.

Several studies are being conducted by the Hospital Authority to review the existing mode of operation and evaluate the outcome of community nursing service. Government will maintain a close dialogue with all interested parties to explore different options to develop home medical and nursing care in Hong Kong.

End