The Department of Health (DH) and the Hospital Authority (HA) today (November 25) announced that from July 1, 2023, the services currently provided by the DH's Clinical Genetic Service (CGS) will be transferred to the HA's Clinical Genetics Service Unit (CGSU). 
      
     To dovetail with the latest development of genomic medicine in Hong Kong, the Health Bureau supports the transfer of services from the DH's CGS to the HA with a view to enhancing multi-disciplinary care for patients and families affected by genetic diseases.
      
     In view of the above arrangement, the DH's CGS has stopped receiving new cases from July 1 this year, while the HA's CGSU has commenced its service for patients of new cases. During the period, the DH will continue to follow-up on new and old cases with appointments till June 30 next year. CGS clinics will cease operation with effect from July 1, 2023. The DH will contact the existing CGS patients whose next appointments are scheduled beyond July 1, 2023, and rearrange for their follow-up appointments to the HA's CGSU at the Hong Kong Children's Hospital (HKCH).
      
     To ensure continuity in patient care upon the transfer of service to the HA, the DH will transfer all cases and relevant medical records stored at CGS (including clinical records, clinical photos, laboratory data and biological samples) to the HA for follow-up in future.
      
     If patients/family members do not agree to have their cases and/or relevant medical records transferred to the HA, they should contact the DH at 2725 3773 as soon as possible. These patients will be given further explanation before being requested to sign an opt-out document and return it to the DH to confirm the arrangement by March 31, 2023.
      
     Patients/family members who opt-out from the arrangement should note that their appointments scheduled beyond July 1, 2023, if any, will be cancelled. A new referral letter will be required in future for appointment booking at the HA's CGSU, if necessary, and consultation fees for new cases will apply according to the HA's arrangement.
      
     Medical records which patients/family members refuse to be transferred to the HA will be disposed of and destroyed by the DH in accordance with its record management policy after the service transfer.
      
     For enquiry on the arrangements, please contact the DH's CGS at 2725 3773 or visit the DH's webpage (www.dh.gov.hk/english/main/main_cgs/main_cgs.html). For information on HA's CGSU, please visit the HKCH website (www31.ha.org.hk/hkch/Patients/Services/CGSU).

Ends/Friday, November 25, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:00

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