Online posts questioned why patients attending a diabetes talk at a public hospital were asked to pay HK$250, with one account saying the charge only became known after the patient arrived. The Hospital Authority clarified on August 29 that the payment was not an admission fee for listening to a talk.
The authority said the HK$250 charge covered personalised treatment or clinical services provided according to a patient’s clinical needs. It said the services were charged under a fee schedule published in the Government Gazette and denied that it was overcharging patients.
The authority distinguished between general health education and treatment. It said most talks or activities providing general health education were free, but a patient referred by a doctor for personalised treatment might attend a talk as part of the treatment process, with the overall clinical service charged under established arrangements.
In the diabetes service cited by the authority, a patient referred to an allied health clinic for dietetic care may be assessed by a dietitian, receive personalised dietary advice, and undergo continuing monitoring and follow-up. Patients generally attend a dietitian-led talk before an individual consultation, assessment and treatment.
The authority said diabetes nurse clinics and family medicine clinics also provide similar personalised treatment. This may include clinical assessment, exercise, personal health and weight management, with talks used to explain necessary treatment and care information.
Ming Pao also reported that a parent said a children’s attention-related talk required the same HK$250 payment, but the supplied reports did not establish whether that was the same service or fee arrangement as the diabetes case. The authority’s clarification stated the purpose of the charge, while the specific hospital, clinic and fee-table item were not identified in the reports.