Further to the 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Executive of HKSAR put forward the initiatives of integrating Woman Health Centres' services and upgrading more interim District Health Centres Expresses (DHCEs) to District Health Centres (DHCs), together with the extension of a multidisciplinary service network. (please click) In fact, the Primary Healthcare Blueprint also recommended gradually integrating the primary healthcare services under the Department of Health (DH) into the district-based community healthcare system. The Health Bureau (HHB) announced in late January that woman health services under DH will be integrated into the district health network, to be named as Women Wellness Satellites (WWS), of the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commision) of the HHB, creating a network with DHC/DHCEs in all 18 districts across Hong Kong, aiming at providing prevention-based and more personalised primary healthcare services to the eligible women. The integration will be conducive to shortening the waiting time for services, reducing duplication of healthcare services and promoting
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primary healthcare development. Three WWSs in Chai Wan, Lam Tin, and Tuen Mun respectively, and the Central and Western (C&W) DHC were awarded a three-year operation service contract after tendering and they help to implement the policy directions of strengthening the prevention-oriented, district-based, and family-centric primary healthcare network. They are anticipated to start their operation within this year. DHCs/DHCEs in the 18 districts will enhance promotion and education related to women's health, and provide new dedicated nurse clinics for women's health services to encourage citizens to manage their own health. DHCs/DHCEs will also identify women in need through health assessments and individual consultations, and refer them to WWSs or the General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority (HA) to receive women's health services as indicated. While WWSs will focus on addressing women’s specific health needs by providing more personalised and value-added primary healthcare services, the HA will start to provide preventive care services to the underprivileged. In addition, to promote the "Family Doctor for All" concept, WWSs will explore collaboration with family doctors participating in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme to support and strengthen comprehensive health management and screening services for women with further details to come. The WWS services will adopt a co-payment model, where eligible individuals will receive partial subsidy from the Government and also be required to pay a designated co-payment fee. The co-payment fee for standard services will be similar to the current charges of the Woman Health Centres of the DH, with details to be announced later. Members of the public may also visit the DHC website (please click) for the latest information. Meanwhile, GOPCs of the HA will provide new preventive women's health services with a view to focusing on caring for the underprivileged. Eligible persons (including Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients or individuals granted medical fee waivers) will be arranged through DHCs/DHCEs to receive women preventive care and health promotion services, which are the same as those in the district health network, at selected GOPCs of the HA. As family doctors providing front line services in the community, please join the Primary Care Directory if you have not done so already. (please click) (please click) The WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) 2025 is scheduled to take place in Busan, Korea, from April 24 to 27. (please click) It promises to offer a comprehensive programme encompassing a diverse range of pertinent topics, aiming to deepen understanding and promote advancements in the Family Medicine specialty. It is anticipated to be an important forum for the exchange of insights and best practices, bringing together esteemed professionals, academics, and researchers from across the region and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to share with and learn from colleagues around the globe.
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Dr. David V K CHAO