ENG-2014 — Page 185

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Health

Healthcare Services Provided by Private and Non-governmental Organisations

The private care sector is the main provider of primary care in Hong Kong, and complements the public sector by providing a range of specialist and hospital services. Doctors of Western medicine, Chinese medicine practitioners, dentists, and other healthcare professionals (including nurses, chiropractors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and optometrists) are healthcare service providers in the private sector.

NGOs also provide healthcare services at different levels in Hong Kong, including operating community clinics offering primary care services. 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.

Secondary, Tertiary and Specialised Healthcare Services

Secondary, tertiary and specialised healthcare services are provided mainly in the HA's hospitals and specialist clinics. In 2013-14, the HA spent about $39.7 billion on specialist outpatient and inpatient services. At the end of 2014, there were 27,631 public hospital beds, comprising 21,323 general beds, 2,041 infirmary beds, 3,607 beds for the mentally ill and 660 beds for the mentally handicapped. In addition, there were 3,906 beds in private hospitals, 4,964 in nursing homes and 821 in institutions run by the Correctional Services Department. There are 5.12 beds per thousand of population. Spending on secondary, tertiary and specialised healthcare services, including both public sector and private sector amounted to about $50.1 billion in 2011-12, of which spending on public specialist outpatient and inpatient services accounted for 75 per cent.

In 2013-14, about $9.1 billion was spent on secondary and tertiary ambulatory medical services provided by the HA's specialist clinics. The HA has specialist clinics for a wide range of specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and traumatology, ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, oncology and cardio-thoracic surgery.

In 2014, the HA's specialist outpatient clinics recorded over 7.14 million attendances. Appointments for new patients are made on the basis of the severity of their clinical condition in order to ensure that patients with acute conditions will be given priority in accessing the required services. Patients in stable condition are referred to primary care practitioners in the private sector or the HA's general outpatient clinics for follow-up.

Allied Health Service

Allied health professionals working under the HA include audiologists, clinical psychologists, dietitians, occupational therapists, optometrists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists,

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Including all hospital beds in HA hospitals, private hospitals, nursing homes and correctional institutions.

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