Health | 159
Early discharge of mental patients in stabilised conditions to receive care and rehabilitation outside the confines of hospitals can help reduce the chances of relapses. International trend nowadays focuses on community and ambulatory services in the treatment of mental illness. In light of this, the Hospital Authority has taken steps in recent years to enhance its community psychiatric services, which includes implementation of a pilot programme of post-discharge community support services for frequently re-admitted mental patients, a 'Recovery Support Programme' service for discharged mental patients in need and enhancement of psychogeriatric outreach services.
To shorten the waiting time for non-urgent new patients requiring treatment in psychiatric specialist outpatient (SOP) clinics, the Hospital Authority has set up triage clinics at the psychiatric SOP clinics in Hong Kong East, Kowloon East, Kowloon West, New Territories East and New Territories West. Information on other public mental health rehabilitation services is available in Chapter 10.
Other Special Services
The Department of Health operates a range of specialist clinics and centres for the public. They include 20 methadone clinics, 19 tuberculosis and chest clinics, seven social hygiene clinics, four dermatology clinics, two integrated treatment centres, four clinical genetic clinics, six child assessment centres, and two travel health centres. More than seven million visits to these clinics were recorded in 2009.
Healthcare Services Provided by Private and Non-governmental Organisations
NGOs provide a wide range of healthcare services in Hong Kong. Non-profit- making community clinics offering primary healthcare services are operated by a large number of NGOs. They include, for examples, the United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Haven of Hope Christian Service, Hong Kong Christian Service, Christian Family Service Centre, Yan Oi Tong, Sik Sik Yuen, Caritas-Hong Kong, Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society and Ching Chung Taoist Association. Two Chinese medicine clinics belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals offer members of the public free Chinese medicines subsidised by the Government.
Many NGOs also organise health promotion, educational and other healthcare related activities. Some NGOs also provide health assessment service, especially for elderly people, and medical check-ups for women. The Hong Kong St. John Ambulance provides first aid training and services, while the Hong Kong Red Cross provides first aid training to promote first aid knowledge and skills. The Hong Kong Cancer Fund boosts public awareness of cancer and encourages people to undertake regular screening for certain cancers to minimise cancer risk.
Secondary, Tertiary and Specialised Healthcare Services
Secondary, tertiary and specialised healthcare services are provided mainly in hospitals and specialist clinics run by the Hospital Authority. At the end of 2009, there were 26 872 hospital beds, comprising 20 544 general beds, 2 041 infirmary beds, 3 627 beds for the mentally ill and 660 beds for the mentally handicapped. In
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.