FAQs
General Information
1. What is the DHC Express ?
The DHC Express is a primary healthcare initiative of the Government. Through public-private partnership, medical-social collaboration, it provides district-based primary healthcare services aiming to:
- enhance public awareness of disease prevention and their capability in self-management of health;
- drive healthy lifestyle for prevention of chronic disease;
- support the chronically ill to prevent deterioration; and
- enhance client access to primary healthcare services.
2. Who operates the DHC Express ?
The government has identified a non-governmental organization through open tender. The Islands DHC Express is operated by the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council.
3. Which of the healthcare professionals will provide service at the core centre and service points ?
The healthcare professionals of the DHC Express consists of Registered nurses, Physiotherapists, Social workers, Program worker and Physiotherapy assistants.
4. 4. Apart from the Core Centre of DHC Express, are there other service points ?
Apart from the Core Centre, the Islands DHC Express also has 9 service points, which are located in Yat Tung Estate, Ying Tung Estate, Tai O, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, Mui Wo, and Discovery Bay. The Islands DHC Express will purchase private medical services in the community and form a district healthcare network. The network services include medical consultation, Chinese medicine consultation, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Optometry and Podiatry.
Eligibility
1. Who is the service target of the DHC Express ?
Individuals living or working in Islands District.
2. Who is eligible to receive DHC Express service ?
An individual who
- is a holder of the Hong Kong Identity Card issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177, the Laws of Hong Kong) or the certificate of exemption, except those who obtained their Hong Kong Identity Cards by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to him and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid; or a child who is a Hong Kong resident and under 11 years of age; and
- agrees to enroll in the electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS); and
- is living or working in the district of the corresponding DHC Express.
3. What documents shall a person present when he registers in the DHC Express ?
He should present the identity card and residential or working address proof.
4. I am 15 years old. Am I eligible to join the service from DHC Express ?
DHC Express will serve people aged over 6 with Hong Kong identity card. Those who are under 18 require parent or guardian consent in order to receive services.
5. I am not a CSSA recipient. Am I ineligible to take part in primary healthcare services ?
There are no special identity restrictions for the primary healthcare services provided by the DHC Express. As long as they have a Hong Kong identity card and registered in DHC Express, they are eligible to join the services.
Service Package and Fee
1. 1. Is there any registration or membership fee for DHC Express ?
Registration and membership are free. The membership is lifelong.
2. What services are included in the DHC Express ?
Islands DHC Express provides primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes. Primary prevention programmes consist of health promotion and disease prevention activities. Secondary prevention includes screening for diabetes mellitus and hypertension in targeted group of clients. Tertiary prevention programmes cover chronic disease management.
3. Does the client have to pay for DHC Express services ?
All of the group activities are free, as well as the individual healthcare services provided by nurse and social worker at the DHC Express. Individual healthcare services including Medical consultation, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Dietetics, Optometry assessment, Podiatry, Chinese medicine services and Medical laboratory test require co-payment by the DHC Express client.
HK$250 will be subsidized for medical consultation, and the extra cost will be paid by the service user. As for other medical services, including Physiotherapy and Medical laboratory test, the expenses are capped at HK$150.
4. Who will be referred to the DHC Express Network Medical Practitioners ?
Clients who have risk factors identified through the screening for diabetes mellitus or hypertension under the DHC Express will be referred to the DHC Express Network Medical Practitioners.
5. Are civil servants or Hospital Authority staff exempted from co-payment for DHC Express services ?
Civil servants and Hospital Authority staff have to make the co-payment for DHC Express services.
6. Who can exempt from paying the service fee of DHC Express The following persons can be exempted from paying for the service fee (relevant certificates are required) ?
The following persons can be exempted from paying for the service fee (relevant certificates are required)
- CSSA recipients
- Persons who have obtained Medical fee waiver
- Higher Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) recipients aged 75 or above
- Level 0 Voucher Holders of the Pilot Scheme on Residential Care Service Voucher for the Elderly
7. Do I need a referral from doctor in order to undertake physiotherapy ?
Users must be referred by Network Service Provider in order to undertake physiotherapy in DHC Express.
8. Can elders who have participated in the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme use the vouchers for DHC services ?
Clients who have participated in the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme can pay for DHC Express services from their Health Care Voucher accounts.
9. Can I withdraw from the DHC Express ?
Registration with the DHC Express is entirely voluntary. Clients who wish to withdraw from the scheme can inform the DHC operator.
Sharing of Information through eHRSS
1. Can the Network Service Providers access a DHC Express client’s medical record in the eHRSS ?
To facilitate continuity of care, all DHC clients and Network Service Providers are required to enroll in the eHRSS. With prior consent from the client, clinical information will be shared with the service providers through the eHRSS, on a need-to-know basis.
2. If a DHC Express client terminates participation in the eHRSS, is he still eligible to join the DHC Scheme ?
All DHC members must enroll in the eHRSS. The DHC Express will not be able to provide a coordinated service effectively to the client who withdraws from the eHRSS. The client will have to terminate his / her membership of the DHC Express.