|
The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau will phase in the development of Chinese medicine clinics in the public sector.
In a Legislative Council paper tabled today, the bureau said the exact number of phases and the number of clinics to be developed in each phase still needs to be finalised.
The bureau said the next phase will involve Wan Chai and Yuen Long as sites are readily available. It is also identifying a suitable site for a Chinese medicine clinic in West Kowloon.
Objectives achieved
The bureau said the objectives are to develop high standards in Chinese medicine practice and to systematise the knowledge base of Chinese medicine.
The first phase of introducing clinics started in December 2003 with three clinics established at Tung Wah, Yan Chai and the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospitals.
The bureau has reviewed the service provided in the three clinics and has concluded the service is effective in achieving the objectives.
Noting the tripartite model upon which the first three clinics are based has worked well, the bureau has decided to continue to operate on these models with some adjustments.
Operational adjustments
The non-governmental organisations running the service in partnership with the Hospital Authority should be required to offer training to a number of local Chinese medicine graduates.
Each clinic should be self-financed. Government funding will only cover:
* capital works required for the setting up of the clinic;
* capital and maintenance cost of the information system serving the clinic;
* salary of the Chinese medicine graduates being trained;
* honorarium for the Chinese medicine practitioners for supervising the graduates; and,
* salary of Senior Pharmacist on share basis.
The clinics need not be attached to a hospital. Given the efficiency made possible by the use of information technology, the clinics can be more conveniently located for the benefit of patients.
Criteria set
The bureau said non-governmental organisations will have to meet a series of criteria to be selected as partners. They include:
* having the capability of implementing the collaboration arrangement;
* having a network in the district, in particular in the provision of medical services; and, * having strong commitment to the district and having readiness and ability to top up the recurrent operating expenses in the case of having deficits.
Go To Top
|
