The visiting expert group led by the head of the Mainland Chinese medicine expert group of the central authorities Tong Xiaolin today toured two residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) in Tai Kok Tsui and Wong Tai Sin.

They received briefings by those in charge of the RCHEs on how they responded to the fifth wave the COVID-19 epidemic, including vaccination arrangements for both residents and staff, infection control measures in the RCHEs and various support measures provided to RCHEs by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

One of the RCHEs they visited has been participating in the Hospital Authority (HA)’s Chinese Medicine Services for Residential Care Homes for the Elderly programme.

The group was briefed on the recovery progress of residents infected with the virus after receiving Chinese medicine treatment.

Members of the expert group also exchanged views with the representative of the Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) of the organisation responsible for providing Chinese medicine services at that RCHE on the operation mode and patients’ conditions.

With the support of the Food & Health Bureau, the HA took the lead in mobilising CMPs to participate in the Chinese Medicine Services for Residential Care Homes for the Elderly programme through community Chinese medicine service providers such as universities, the Chinese medicine sector, CMP academic associations and non-governmental organisations.

A maximum of three sessions of telemedicine or outreach Chinese medicine services will be provided to infected residents and care home staff. CMPs will prescribe a maximum of five doses of Chinese medicine drugs for each consultation session having regard to the clinical conditions of the patient, and arrange the drugs be delivered to the care home.

The service has recently been further expanded to cover Chinese medicine rehabilitation consultations. Infected RCHE residents can receive a maximum of 10 sessions of telemedicine or outreach services at the RCHE within six months of their discharge or completion of isolation.

Since the launch of the service in February, 205 RCHEs have participated, with over 4,900 sessions of consultation conducted.