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Background of DHC

The Chief Executive's Policy Address

In the 2017 Policy Address, the Chief Executive directed that, to further illustrate the effectiveness of medical-social collaboration in providing primary healthcare services, the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) should set up a pilot District Health Centre (DHC) with a brand new operation mode in Kwai Tsing District within two years. The Government will provide funding for the centre according to the needs and characteristics of the district. The planned DHC will make use of the local network to procure services from organisations and healthcare personnel serving the district so that the public can receive necessary care in the community. With the experience gained from the pilot scheme, the Government will progressively set up DHCs in all 18 districts.

The DHC aims to raise public awareness on personal health management, enhance disease prevention, and strengthen medical and rehabilitation services in the community, thereby reducing unwarranted use of hospital services. The services being considered for the DHC (and through its local network) include health promotion, health screening for target groups, case management, care coordination and community rehabilitation.

Client Journey

Individuals Living or Working in the District. Next. DHC Core or Satellite Centre. Next. Health Risk Factors. Next. Nurse Counselling and Education. Next. Health Programmes. Finally. Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Strong. Refer Clients with Risk Factors for Diabetes or Hypertension to Network Doctor. Next. Medical Consultation. Next. Medical Laboratory Services. Next. Diagnosis and Management. Next. Individual Healthcare Services or Group Activities. Finally. Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Strong.

Enrolment to DHC Network

  • The DHC Operator will procure services from non-government entities in the community and form the DHC network. The DHC network service providers include allied health professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, podiatrists, speech therapists, optometrists) and Chinese Medicine Practitioners. To enhance the accessibility of clients to DHC services, healthcare practitioners from nearby districts can also join the DHC network. For the Kwai Tsing DHC, these are the Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, and Sham Shui Po districts.
  • The Government will offer subsidies for the provision of DHC network services. The DHC Operator will contract separately with the network service providers.

  • Criteria for enrolment:

    • Chinese Medicine Practitioners must be listed in the Primary Care Directory of the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) of the Health Bureau.
    • To facilitate the client’s choice and to enhance the transparency of DHC service charging, the DHC network service providers are required to list out their standard DHC service charge.
    • Network service providers including Chinese Medicine Practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and optometrists must enrol in the eHealth. Clinical information will be shared in the eHealth to ensure continuity and coordination of care.
    Profession Requirement
    Chinese Medicine Practitioner
    • Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner listed in the Primary Care Directory
    Dietitian
    • A post-graduate diploma in dietetics or a bachelor of science degree in dietetics, inclusive of an internship, or equivalent;
    • On the list of Hong Kong Academy of Accredited Dietitians
    Occupational Therapist
    • Part I registered Occupational Therapist
    Optometrist
    • A degree of Optometry from a local university or equivalent;
    • Part I registration with the Optometrists Board
    Physiotherapist
    • Part IA registered Physiotherapist
    Podiatrist
    • A degree in Podiatry, Podiatric Medicine or Podiatric Studies, or equivalent; and
    • Agree to accept Health Care Voucher under District Health Centre Scheme
    Speech Therapist
    • A degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from a local university or equivalent;
    • Registered with the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists

  • Referral mechanism for DHC network service

    • A client referred by Family Doctor for individual healthcare professional service will make his/her choice of network service provider from a list of enrolled healthcare professionals. Staff of the DHC will facilitate arrangement of appointment accordingly.

  • Procedures for enrolment

    1. Step 1: Preparation – Prepare valid supporting documents

      Profession General Supporting Document(s)
      Chinese Medicine Practitioner
      • Registration Certificate
      • Practising Certificate
      Occupational Therapist
      Optometrist
      Physiotherapist
      Dietitian
      • Certificates for Professional Qualification
      Podiatrist
      Speech Therapist

    2. Step 2: Filling – Complete the enrolment form (Download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing, filling and printing PDF documents.)

      PDF Enrolment Form (for Chinese Medicine Practitioners)
      PDF Enrolment Form (for Allied Health Professionals)

    3. Step 3: Submission – Submit the enrolment form to DHC Operator(s) (HCPs practising in the corresponding and adjacent districts of the DHC can join the DHC network)

List of DHC Network Service Providers

New Territories

Kowloon

Hong Kong

Dedicated Nurse Clinic and Allied Health Services under District Health Network - Locations and Service Hours

Download the information of Dedicated Nurse Clinic and Allied Health Services under District Health Network service locations and service hours.

Service Outlets of the District Health Network under the District Health Centre Scheme

Download information on the List of Service Outlets with Service Locations under the DHC Scheme.

Training

To reinforce the primary healthcare manpower in long term as highlighted by the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, structured training programmes are designed to strengthen the core competencies of primary healthcare disciplines. These programmes not only enhance the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, but also promote a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach for healthcare delivery in primary healthcare setting.

This programme targets family doctors listed in the Primary Care Directory, and is designed to equip the participants with essential fundamental knowledge of Family Medicine and up-to-date knowledge and skills to meet the evolving service needs within the primary care landscape. Upon successful registration, participants will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Access to an e-learning platform containing primary healthcare-focused CME training modules covering family medicine essentials and chronic disease management, including chronic hepatitis B management with additional topics such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia to be launched in phases.
  • Flexible learning - available anytime, anywhere.
  • Free of charge during the pilot phase.

For information and registration of the programme, please refer to the website of the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (link)

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Training for healthcare professionals is essential to ensure comprehensive understanding of the concept of the District Health Centre (DHC) network and multidisciplinary care coordination. It is also necessary to enhance the knowledge and skills of primary healthcare doctors and other healthcare professionals for provision of primary healthcare services as well as playing a more active role in the development of primary healthcare for Hong Kong. Training subsidies are offered by the Government to encourage more healthcare professionals to enrol in the related training courses supporting primary healthcare development in Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong moves towards “Family Doctor for All”, the demand for highly skilled primary care doctors have never been greater. To support the professional development of family doctors, Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) has significantly increased the training subsidies for eligible participants.

Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Family Medicine 2026 – 2027, eligible participants enrolled in the Primary Care Directory (PCD) can apply to PHCC for training subsidy.

  • PCD doctors who have joined the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network (Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme doctors) can apply for a reimbursement of 50% of course fee or maximum HK$23,000;
  • Other PCD doctors (i.e. those who have not joined the Network) may apply for reimbursement of 25% of course fee or maximum HK$11,500.

Enroll to The Diploma in Family Medicine 2026 – 2027 organised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (Application Deadline: 15 July 2026)

  • Master the core competencies of family doctors;
  • Stay ahead of the latest primary healthcare reforms in Hong Kong;
  • Formalise your expertise in the family medicine model.

Letter to Doctors for the Training Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded here.

Eligibility Criteria for Application of the Training Subsidy
  • Registered medical practitioners in Hong Kong who enrolled in the PCD as well as the Diploma in Family Medicine (DFM) for 2026-2027 having satisfied the corresponding course requirements and are awarded the certificate.
  • A doctor participant is not eligible to apply for course fee subsidisation under the "Training Funding Scheme for Healthcare Professionals" if he / she was granted reimbursement of course fee from the Health Bureau for the DFM previously.
Reimbursement Procedures
  1. Upon award of certificate, the subsidy application form will be provided by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) for the course participants;
  2. The applicants who enrolled in the PCD should submit the application form to the PHCC of the Health Bureau;
  3. The final approval of the reimbursement is at the discretion of the Government;
  4. Subject to quotas of the training subsidy, PHCC will arrange payment of subsidy to eligible applicants.
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An amount of HK$3,500 will be reimbursed to each eligible pharmacist participant after having satisfactorily completed the following course:

Letter to Pharmacists for the Training Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded here.

Eligibility Criteria for Application of the Training Subsidy
  • Registered pharmacists in Hong Kong under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) who enrol in the Certificate Course in Primary Healthcare for Pharmacists 2026 having satisfied the course requirements and being awarded with the certificate of the course by the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong.
Reimbursement Procedures
  1. Upon award of certificate, the subsidy application form will be enclosed by the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong for the course participants;
  2. The course participants should submit the application form to the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) of the Health Bureau;
  3. The final approval of the reimbursement is at the discretion of the Government;
  4. PHCC will arrange payment of subsidy to course participants.
To Be Updated
  • Applicants shall not obtain any other public funds or assistance under any other publicly funded financial assistance scheme for the fees to be reimbursed for the same course.
  • Training institutions may approach the Primary Healthcare Commission if they are interested in providing DHC-related training courses for primary healthcare doctors and other healthcare professionals.

For training related enquiry, please contact training.phcc@healthbureau.gov.hk

Background:

This session aims to introduce the newly enabled PT direct access arrangement under the Allied Health Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359) (formerly the “Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance”), including the clinical guidelines and the key role of doctors in the clinical care pathways - to assess and manage patients with red flags or conditions outside the scope upon receipt of referral, including referral the patient to physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy services as appropriate.

Topic Speaker Webinar Recording
Direct Access to Physiotherapy Services Arrangement Dr Esther YU View
Topic Speaker File
Surveillance and Management of Hepatitis B Carriers in the Primary Care Setting Prof. YUEN Man Fung Download
Background:

With the territory-wide rollout of the District Health Centres (DHCs), it is essential for healthcare professionals to have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of primary healthcare and the concept of DHC scheme. This online seminar is designed to reinforce the knowledge of primary care and multidisciplinary team approach as well as the role of different healthcare professionals under the DHC network.

23 February 2022
Topic Speaker File
  • Principles of primary healthcare and concept of DHC scheme
 Dr Donald LI Kwok-tung Download
  • Role of family doctor in DHC

  • Opportunities offered to the family doctor in DHC
Dr David CHAO Vai-kiong

Dr LAU Ho-lim 		Download

Download
  • The roles and responsibilities of Care Coordinators in DHC

  • Health coaching
 Prof Frances WONG Kam-yuet Download
  • What, why and how of Medical Social Collaborations?
Dr LAM Ching-choi Download
Background:

In preparation for the opening of the Kwai Tsing DHC (K&TDHC), the then Primary Healthcare Office (PHO) organised a K&TDHC Induction Course which consisted of two half-day programmes for the K&TDHC staff and network service providers. The induction course acted as a springboard to equip healthcare providers of the K&TDHC with principles and hands-on knowledge on the operation of the K&TDHC. The topics and presentation materials are listed below.

17 August 2019 - Session 1
Topic Presentation File
Principles of Primary Care Download
Provision of Life-long Care in the Primary Care Setting ;
Chinese and Western Medicine Practitioner Collaboration 		Download
The Roles and Responsibilities of Care Coordinators in DHC Download
Contribution of Allied Health Professionals in Primary Healthcare - Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Chronic Disease Management and Community Rehabilitation Download
中醫服務在基層醫療中的作用 Download (Chinese Version Only)
7 September 2019 - Session 2
Topic Presentation File
Introduction of DHC Scheme Download
DHC Service and Client Journey Download
DHC IT system Download
Updates on eHealth Please visit www.eHealth.gov.hk

Contact Us

phcc@healthbureau.gov.hk

FAQ

A1: The DHC is a primary healthcare initiative of the Government. Through public-private partnership, medical-social collaboration, it provides district-based primary healthcare services aiming to:
  • enhance public awareness of disease prevention and their capability in self-management of health;
  • drive healthy lifestyle for prevention of chronic disease;
  • support the chronically ill to prevent deterioration; and
  • enhance client access to primary healthcare services.
A2: Each DHC consists of a core centre and a few satellite centres, being the healthcare service and resource hub of the district.
A3: The Government identifies a non-governmental organization through open tender.
A1: Healthcare professionals practising in the corresponding and adjacent districts of the DHC can join the DHC network.
  • Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners must be listed in the primary care directory.
  • The healthcare professionals have to be either a registered healthcare provider (HCP) for the Hong Kong Government’s (HKG) Electronic Health System (eHealth) or authorised by an HCP to access and use the eHealth.
  • The healthcare professionals required to be registered under the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance must possess a valid practising certificate.
A2: Healthcare professionals can apply of their own volition or through the DHC Operator’s invitation. They need to provide appropriate supporting documents to the DHC Operator for enrolment. For enquiries, please contact the DHC Operator for further assistance.
A3: An individual who
  • is a holder of the Hong Kong Identity Card issued under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177, the Laws of Hong Kong) or the certificate of exemption, except those who obtained their Hong Kong Identity Cards by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to him and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid; or a child who is a Hong Kong resident and under 11 years of age; and
  • agrees to enrol in the Electronic Health System (eHealth);
A1: For the DHC, the service fee for individual healthcare service and the co-payment by the client will be proposed by the DHC Operator and are subject to agreement by the Government.
A2: Yes, healthcare service sessions are provided based on clinical needs, and the maximum number of sessions for different DHC programmes has been set.
A3: Beyond the maximum number of subsidised sessions, the client has to pay the fees charged by the Network Service Provider.
A4: Under the Scheme, the DHC client can receive subsidised healthcare professional services for the targeted diseases within the scope as specified. Individual clients may receive additional service(s) or treatments at their own expenses.
A5: Clients who have participated in the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme can pay for DHC services from their Health Care Voucher accounts.
A1: To facilitate continuity of care, all DHC clients and Network Service Providers are required to enrol in the eHealth, to enable clinical information sharing between service providers.
A1: Clients must obtain referral from Network Medical Practitioners to receive individual healthcare services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry assessment, dietetics, podiatry, speech therapy from the Network Service Providers.
A2: Yes. If a Network Service Provider wishes to withdraw from the DHC network, he should give advance notice to the DHC Operator within a period specified by the Operator. The Network Service Provider shall ensure that all the scheduled services are delivered before the termination date.
A3: A Network Service Provider will serve in the DHC network of the corresponding or nearby districts.
A1: Should there be any updates / changes made, in the future or thereafter, to the information previously provided in the Enrolment Application or that is pertinent to a Network Service Provider’s participation in this Scheme, please inform the DHC Operator immediately.

Note: The above FAQs for HCPs are for reference only. HCPs should refer to the Terms and Conditions of the DHC for details.

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