SFH inspects Sham Shui Po District Health Centre (with photos)

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, inspected the Sham Shui Po District Health Centre (DHC) this afternoon (July 13) to understand its operation and the primary healthcare services provided.
 
     Following the establishment of the first DHC in Kwai Tsing District in September 2019, the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) established the second DHC in Sham Shui Po District. Operated by the St James' Settlement, a non-governmental organisation, the Sham Shui Po DHC provides Government subsidised primary healthcare services including health promotion, health assessment, chronic disease management and community rehabilitation through medical-social collaboration and public-private partnership. DHC is a district primary healthcare hub which connects a service network manned by private medical and healthcare practitioners in the district and provides services through a network of multi-disciplinary teams. It also co-ordinates with community partners providing social welfare and healthcare services in the district.

     Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of St James' Settlement, Ms Josephine Lee, Professor Chan was briefed by representatives of the DHC on Sham Shui Po DHC's operation and services provided. In addition, representatives of the DHC also introduced its major facilities, including the facilities in the Assessment and Interview Area, the Activity Area, the Health Resource Corner and the Rehabilitation and Wellness Area, and demonstrated the operation of the Pavigym area. Professor Chan took the opportunity to exchange views with staff members of the DHC and gave encouragement to them. She pointed out that the DHC Scheme, being a key component of the entire public healthcare system in a bid to change the treatment-led focus of our healthcare services, aims to encourage the public to take precautionary measures against diseases, strengthen their capability in self-care and home care, enhance public health, and reduce unnecessary usage of hospital or Accident and Emergency services with a view to relieving the burden of public hospitals. The DHC Scheme would sustainably provide quality primary healthcare services to members of the public. During inspection, Professor Chan also chatted with members of the public using the DHC services and listened to their opinion. 

    The Sham Shui Po DHC started to provide services by phases from June 30 this year.

    The Government is committed to enhancing primary healthcare and will gradually set up DHCs in all 18 districts in Hong Kong to provide primary healthcare services to the public. With the establishment of the DHCs in Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po Districts, the FHB expected that within the term of the current Government, DHCs in five more districts and interim "DHC Express" in the remaining 11 districts would be established to provide services to residents in Hong Kong.