Author Archives: hksar gov

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.      To prevent heat stroke, avoid pro… read more

     The Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH), chaired by Mr Wong Yan-lung, SC, held a meeting on July 27. Members were briefed by the Hospital Authority (HA) on the preliminary review outcomes of the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism under the Mental Health Ordinance.
 
     The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, thanked members for actively expressing their views. She pointed out that the premise of the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism is to allow patients with mental disorders, upon stabilisation of condition, to return to their familiar community to continue their path of rehabilitation. However, it is of utmost importance to strike a balance between protecting the health and safety of the patients and the public, and safeguarding the rights of the patients. On this basis, the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism can be taken forward in the following four directions:
 
1. Improve the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism to divert the status of voluntarily admitted patients who are found to have a medical history of criminal violence or disposition to commit criminal violence to compulsory detention, so that patients will be subject to the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism if needed upon discharge
 
     Currently, under the Mental Health Ordinance, the “Conditional Discharge” conditions could only be imposed on patients under compulsory detention and with a medical history of criminal violence or disposition to commit such violence. Hence, the mechanism does not apply to patients who are admitted voluntarily but with a medical history of criminal violence or disposition to commit such violence. To this end, the HA will revise the guidelines provided to frontline psychiatrists with a view to improving the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism. One direction of the improvements will be allowing doctors to divert patients to compulsory detention under the Mental Health Ordinance pursuant to the guidelines if the patients exhibit violent behavior or disposition to commit criminal violence, such that the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism will be applicable to these patients for them to receive appropriate follow-up and support. The Government will carefully study the relevant changes, including whether amendments to the Ordinance are necessary.
 
2. Enhance support to patients on “Conditional Discharge” and their carers
 
     To support patients in medication compliance, the HA will formulate clear clinical guidelines, protocols or risk assessment tools to prescribe newer oral drugs or injections with fewer side effects for suitable patients as far as practicable. Doctors will stipulate more specific and targeted monitoring requirements for medication compliance in the “Conditional Discharge” conditions, such as requiring observation of patients taking medication through tele-conferencing, checking the quantity of medication taken, and examining the medication compliance through blood or urine tests, in order to ensure that the patients have taken medication according to doctors’ instructions.
 
     When considering the discharge of a patient, the HA will first and foremost take into account whether the patient has sufficient community support. Moreover, the Government will strengthen support for carers so that they can effectively assist patients in complying with “Conditional Discharge” conditions, such as receiving residential care at halfway houses for a transitional period. The HA will also enhance the education for the patients and their carers for them to realise the importance of medication compliance. The HA will improve communication and co-operation among healthcare professionals, medical social workers and carers, and will enhance the education and training for healthcare professionals and medical social workers, so as to upskill them in identifying symptoms of relapse and following up with cases.
 
3. Recall patients whose condition has deteriorated and have violated the “Conditional Discharge” conditions to the hospital in time for treatment
 
     In the event of deterioration of a patient’s condition and his or her violation of the “Conditional Discharge” condition, the HA should identify the case at an early stage and recall the patient concerned to the hospital as early as possible if necessary. The Government will follow up on the 10 enhanced measures announced on June 9 to support persons in mental recovery or with mental health needs, including strengthening the manpower of case managers, enhancing the communication in case management between the HA and the Social Welfare Department (SWD), etc to closely monitor the condition of patients under “Conditional Discharge” and provide them with timely treatment and support.

4. Establish a case review period for patients under “Conditional Discharge”

     The HA will establish a review period for the cases and conduct professional assessment for patients through the existing Multi-Disciplinary Case Conference mechanism. Under the mechanism, professional staff including case doctors, medical social workers, case managers, nurses and allied health professionals will conduct assessment for the patients taking into consideration of factors such as recovery status of the patients, family support and risk factor. Depending on the patient’s condition, the “Conditional Discharge” order will be reviewed at least every two years.

     Regarding the suggestion to introduce “Compulsory Treatment Order” (CTO), the Government and the ACMH are in consensus that there is currently no consistent research to support the efficacy of CTO in reducing the risk of patients exhibiting violent behavior, while its introduction will restrict the freedom of patients. The HA will improve the “Conditional Discharge” mechanism in accordance with the aforementioned directions. There is no plan to introduce CTO at this stage.

     Dr Lee said, “The Government will continue to press ahead the 10 enhanced measures announced on June 9 through the Health Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Department of Health, the SWD, the HA, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in the community. Multi-disciplinary services will also be provided to support persons in mental recovery or with mental health needs on all fronts.” read more

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Sau Mau Ping yesterday (July 27) night, in which a 59-year-old male pedestrian died.             &n… read more

     â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 27) continued to follow up on the whale appearing in Sai Kung waters and discussed with experts of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK) and conservation groups on the current conditions of the whale and exchanged views on appropriate and feasible measures to further protect it. 

     The AFCD notes opinions to set up some restricted areas to protect the whale. Since the emergence of the whale are sporadic in this large stretch of waters, the area that needs special management will have to be adjusted according to actual circumstances, it is not feasible to implement such a measure without affecting other marine users. The AFCD will step up patrols together with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Marine Department. Whenever the whale surfaces to feed and in case some vessels are getting too close to it, government officers will take appropriate action immediately, including instructing nearby vessels to keep a distance and take enforcement action if the concerned person refuses to cooperate, so as to ensure the whale is free from disturbance of whale-watching vessels.

     The AFCD, experts of the OPCFHK and other conservation groups all agreed that the wounds on the back of the whale were not caused by recent injuries. As the whale is in a stable condition, capable of feeding and swimming while the wounds are healing without any behavioural signs of being sick and stranded, there is currently no need for medical help or other intervening action.

     As to the suggestion of guiding the whale out to the open seas, no feasible concrete options that are safe and secure have been revealed after discussing with the experts of the OPCFHK and other conservation groups. The AFCD will continue to explore appropriate and effective methods with the experts.

     The AFCD reiterates that all cetaceans are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). Irresponsible whale watching behaviour may constitute an act of wilful disturbance of protected wild animals. Offenders are liable to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 upon conviction.

     For the sake of personal safety, members of the public should avoid close encounters with the whale. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols of the waters where the whale has appeared and at places including the Sai Kung Public Pier, distribute leaflets and urge public not to go on boat trips to watch the whale. They should also avoid disturbing the whale appearing in the vicinity when engaging in water sports. read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (July 27) urged members of the public who consulted a listed Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP), Au Yeung Wai-chi, practising at Room 1, 18/F, Wealthy Plaza, 138 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho, to stop using a green cream product (see photo) he prescribed as it was found to contain undeclared Western drug ingredients.
      
     The Hospital Authority recently reported a suspected poisoning case involving a 25-year-old man who has consulted the above CMP for eczema since May last year for over ten times. He was prescribed with one to two cans of the cream product each time for application on skin parts with eczema. He attended Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 7 due to worsening of eczema conditions and cellulitis on his legs and has been discharged. Acting upon the report, the DH raided the above CMP’s premises and seized the green cream product for testing. The DH received test results from the Government Laboratory today confirming that the sample of the cream product was found to contain undeclared Western drug ingredients, namely dexamethasone acetate, ketoconazole and lincomycin. A man aged 77 was arrested by the Police today for suspected illegal possession of Part 1 poisons, unregistered pharmaceutical products and antibiotics. Investigations are ongoing. 
      
     Dexamethasone acetate, a corticosteroid, is a Part 1 poison and prescription medicine for treating inflammation. Inappropriate use of a corticosteroid may cause serious side effects such as Cushing’s syndrome, with symptoms including moon face and muscle atrophy. Ketoconazole, also a Part 1 poison, is an antifungal drug commonly used for the treatment of fungal skin infections. Lincomycin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of various bacterial infections. Ketoconazole and lincomycin may cause side effects such as itching, irritation and an allergic reaction when used topically.
      
     The DH will set up a hotline (2961 8949) which operates from 9am to 5pm from tomorrow (July 28) for public enquiries related to using the cream product prescribed by the above CMP. Members of the public who have been prescribed with the cream product by the above CMP who feel unwell or are in doubt should consult healthcare professionals as soon as possible.
      
     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), illegal possession of Part 1 poison and unregistered pharmaceutical product are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. In addition, the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap. 137) also prohibits illegal possession of antibiotics. Offender is liable to a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and one year’s imprisonment. Upon completion of the investigations, the DH will consult the Department of Justice on prosecution matters. The DH has already referred the case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for consideration of possible disciplinary action.
      
     Members of the public may submit the above cream product to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.