The Health Bureau today highlighted its long-standing position that any kind of medical service, including in-person consultations or telehealth services, should be provided by qualified healthcare professionals in order to ensure healthcare quality and safety and safeguard citizens’ health.
 
It made the statement in regard to the findings of a Consumer Council study on enhancing governance in telehealth.
 
The bureau also pointed out that the delivery of such qualified healthcare professionals is governed by the regulatory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions.
 
In addition to emphasising that these professionals bear a professional responsibility and must act in the interest of patients, the bureau stressed that their standard of practice must not be compromised based on the service mode, whether by means of in-person consultations or telehealth services.
 
Currently, the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong have already promulgated guidelines for the telehealth practice.
 
The scope of the guidelines covers operational issues such as establishing a doctor-patient relationship, evaluating patients’ suitability for telehealth services, obtaining informed consent and protecting patient privacy.
 
The bureau explained that while telehealth services allow citizens to access healthcare services without leaving their homes, they may not be suitable for all scenarios, particularly when patients may need on-site clinical examinations for accurate diagnosis and treatment that involves the professional judgment of healthcare professionals.
 
It added that the Government will ensure that the boards and councils of various healthcare professions would formulate and update specific telehealth guidelines in a timely manner based on their professional practice and operational needs, with a view to protecting the interests of patients and healthcare professionals.
 
When seeking medical services, members of the public should ascertain that the service provider is a qualified healthcare professional in order to safeguard their own safety and interests.
 
In case of complaints against the telehealth services provided by healthcare professionals, the public may contact the regulatory boards and councils of relevant healthcare professions.