The Primary Healthcare Commission announced on Tuesday that nine Elderly Health Centres will be gradually integrated into the district health network starting from October 5.

The changes will see the number of service points expand from 18 to more than 100, covering District Health Centres across all 18 districts and designated Hospital Authority family medicine clinics.

That will see the annual capacity for elderly health services double from around 54,000 to more than 120,000.

"This integration will provide more comprehensive primary healthcare services for the elderly under a new service model," a commission spokesman said.

The first phase of the integration covers nine centres in North District, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun Wu Hong, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Shing, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Shau Kei Wan and Aberdeen.

The other nine Elderly Health Centres will be integrated by 2027-28.

Under the new arrangements, patients with existing follow-up appointments at Elderly Health Centres can continue with their current consultations.

After they have completed those, the district centres will coordinate on subsequent care for them.

Patients can register as members of District Health Centres for free and enter the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme, choosing their own community family doctor.

Health assessment services will also be expanded, with the district centres covering nutrition, hearing, psychological capacity and urinary problems in addition to the current domains of cognition, mobility and vision.

"We will roll out more comprehensive elderly health assessment services, and healthcare professionals will formulate tailored management plans based on the results," the spokesman said.

Elderly recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme allowances, Old Age Living Allowance beneficiaries aged 75 or above and medical fee waiver certificate holders will receive preventive services and assessments at designated Hospital Authority family medicine clinics, with fees fully or partially waived.



Edited by Tony Sabine