ENG-2012 — Page 182

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Health

representing about 34 per cent and 80 per cent of the total numbers of expectant mothers and newborn children in Hong Kong,

The Family Health Service also provides information on child care, parenting and health to the general public through various channels such as information leaflets, seminars/workshops, websites and a 24-hour information hotline. The Family Planning Association (FPA) of Hong Kong offers services and health information on sexual and reproductive health treatments and counselling at its clinics, youth healthcare centres, activity and resource centres and women's clubs. The FPA received $39.54 million in government subsidies in 2011-12 and over 200,000 people used its services in 2012.

Student Health

The DH provides health screening and individual counselling to primary and secondary school students at its 12 student health service centres and three special assessment centres. In the 2011-12 school year, 696,122 primary one to secondary seven students used its services. In addition, school health inspectors check schools' hygiene standards. School Immunisation Teams under the auspices of the department's Centre for Health Protection visit primary schools every year to administer free vaccinations for students.

Elderly Health

The DH's 18 elderly health centres and 18 visiting health teams provide primary health care to the elderly, improve their ability to care for themselves and encourage healthy living and their family's support. These centres provide health assessments, curative treatment, health education and counselling to people aged 65 and above. The visiting health teams conduct health promotion activities for the elderly and provide training to improve carers' skills. In 2012, the centres recorded 38,989 enrolments and 172,782 attendances for health assessment and medical consultation, while the health teams provided service to 297,301 persons.

Community Health

The HA's development of community healthcare services aims to reduce reliance on inpatient services and help patients' rehabilitation in the community. In 2012, the HA conducted 1,941,600 home visits and outreach care services, including those for elderly people and mental patients.

Over 80 per cent of those receiving community nursing care are elderly people. Community geriatric assessment teams make regular visits to residential care homes for the elderly to provide medical and nursing care to residents who are unable to visit the specialist outpatient clinics. These teams also train the staff to help them take care of frail residents.

The HA provides transitional integrated support services to elderly patients after their discharge from hospital where there is a high risk that they may require re-admission. Healthcare professionals prepare a discharge plan according to each patient's condition on admission and provide such services as care and rehabilitation services and counselling on the use of drugs. In collaboration with social welfare organisations, they also provide home care and personal care services to needy and high-risk elderly patients and monitor their progress after discharge.

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