ENG-2012 — Page 184

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Health

The HA's psychogeriatric outreach service provides consultations for residents of care homes for the elderly with mental health problems such as dementia, depression and chronic psychosis. It also trains and supports carers and staff of these homes. In 2011-12, the consultation service was extended to about 80 more private residential care homes for the elderly.

In 2011-12, the HA expanded its professional team of healthcare practitioners in various disciplines providing early identification, assessment and treatment services for children. suffering from autism and hyperactivity. The team also help parents and caregivers understand the children's condition and treatment needs.

In 2011-12, over 40,000 HA patients were prescribed with anti-psychotic drugs with less. disabling side effects but proven efficacy, an increase of 100 per cent from 2007-08.

Other Special Services

The DH's specialist clinics and centres for the public comprise 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. About seven million visits to these clinics were recorded in 2012.

Healthcare Services Provided by Private and Non-governmental Organisations

The private healthcare sector is the main provider of primary care, and complements the public sector by providing a range of specialist and hospital services. Private hospitals and Western medical practitioners' offices and clinics in the private sector provide the public with various healthcare choices, including a choice of doctors and amenities. Doctors of Western medicine and other healthcare professionals (including Chinese medicine practitioners, dentists, nurses, chiropractors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and optometrists) provide health care in the private sector. In general, private healthcare services are not subsidised (except for certain institutional or day-time long-term medical and nursing care) and patients have to bear the full cost of using these services.

NGOs also provide healthcare services at different levels in Hong Kong and a large number operate community clinics offering primary healthcare services. They include Caritas-Hong Kong, Ching Chung Taoist Association, the Hong Kong Christian Service, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Sik Sik Yuen, the United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service and Yan Oi Tong. The Hong Kong Buddhist Association, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, Pok Oi Hospital, Yan Chai Hospital and other organisations provide Chinese medical services. Two Chinese medicine clinics belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals offer members of the public free Chinese medicine services subsidised by the Government.

In addition, many NGOs organise health promotion, educational and other healthcare-related activities. Some NGOs also provide health assessment services for the elderly, 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 raises public awareness of cancer and encourages people to undertake regular cancer screening to minimise cancer risks.

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