Hong Kong’s Health Bureau will launch a priority health scheme on Nov 4 to address the needs of the underprivileged groups in seeking consultation.
Run by the Hospital Authority, the Family Medicine Out-patient Services Priority Groups Pilot Scheme will introduce quotas for certain priority groups, enabling them to make priority bookings for Family Medicine Out-patient (FMOP) services, according to the government.
The priority groups include recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, recipients of the Old Age Living Allowance who are aged 75 or above, Level 0 Voucher Holders under the Residential Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly, and recipients of the Working Family Allowance Scheme.
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Announcing the scheme at a media briefing on Friday, the Primary Healthcare Commission said individuals belonging to the priority groups can become eligible for the pilot scheme and make priority bookings for FMOP consultations after registering as members of District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses and as priority group members for FMOP services.
This can be done via the eHealth mobile application or in person at District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses.
The service seekers will be charged consultation fees according to the standard FMOP rates.
Hong Kong’s Primary Healthcare Blueprint proposed developing a prevention-oriented primary healthcare system, and repositioning the Hospital Authority’s General Out-patient Clinic services to prioritize serving underprivileged groups.
The pilot scheme is a major initiative for the implementation plan of the blueprint, said the government.
