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As such, we believe that the DHC is the most ideal location for data flow between service providers. For example, if users use
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district-level gerontech displays, as there is a comparatively wearable health monitoring devices with extensive data on vital
larger operating floor area and number of paramedical personnel health indicators, the DHC can consolidate the data and make it
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assigned. The DHC also does not exclusively service the elderly meaningful to relevant social and medical professionals.
and can therefore help PwDs. Of particular note is that each DHC Infrastructure
is budgeted to include two in-house occupational therapists and Currently, there are only four DHCs in operation, but the
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three in-house physiotherapists. These professionals can provide Government will construct DHCs in all 18 districts. As illustrated
end-users with advice and assessments on the appropriate in Figure 19, of the existing DHCs, several already include basic
gerontech equipment to procure and use (The Government of gerontech product displays, as well as reference lists to relevant
HKSAR Press Releases, 2021). community services and rehabilitation equipment stores. We
recommend building on these existing efforts within the
Furthermore, the DHC is one of the Government’s leading DHC to build a “Gerontech Corner”.
initiatives in helping to push for medical-social collaboration,
one of the gaps that we identified in our first report (Gap 24). As
our survey revealed that there was only minor improvement on
this area (score 0.06), we hope that leveraging DHC can help
consolidate the collaborative efforts between social and medical
professionals within the area of gerontech. Not to mention, we
hope that higher usage of gerontech at DHCs can assist with
48 From an operational perspective, there should be further consideration on obtaining the patient’s consent and compliance with relevant laws.
49 The DHCs currently in operation are in Kwai Tsing, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, and Tuen Mun (FHB District Health Centres, 2021). The Government is also working to set up
DHCs in Southern District and Yuen Long (LegCo Policy Address, 2021). In the districts where full-fledged DHCs will not yet be set up by the current Government administration, the
Government will set up interim “DHC Express” stations. As of October 2021, there have been DHC Expresses set up in the Islands, Kowloon City, North, Sai Kung, Wan Chai, and Yau
Tsim Mong Districts. Within the term of the current Government administration, there will also be DHC Expresses set up in Central & Western, Eastern, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, and Tai Po
Districts (FHB DHC Express, 2021).
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