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The Hospital Authority (HA) will introduce Family Medicine Specialty Clinic (FMSC) from December 1, 2005. The FMSC will strengthen the existing service of specialist out-patient clinic (SOPC) and enhance the role and function of family medicine for the benefit of the community.
Eighteen FMSCs (Attachment I) will be managed by family medicine specialists and take care of patients who are more complex and require diagnostic or management support from specialists. The operation of FMSCs is similar to other SOPCs in HA and patients are referred and required to make appointment.
Similar to patients of all SOPCs, patients attending FMSC are charged $100 and $60 for the first and follow-up attendances respectively, as well as a drug charge of $10 for each item. The charges are applicable to patients who are referred for appointments on and after December 1, 2005.
On the other hand, to help people planning to attend general out-patient clinic (GOPC), a pilot telephone booking system will be implemented in five GOPCs (Attachment II) in the Hong Kong East Cluster with effect from tomorrow (November 29, 2005).
The patient just dials a designated phone number, inputs information as instructed and will be given an appointment time and a reference number. The system operates 24 hours a day and booking for appointments of evening session of the current day (Shau Kei Wan GOPC only) and morning and afternoon sessions of next day starts from 3pm each day; and from 11am on Saturdays.
Ends/Monday, November 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:49
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