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Psychiatric Medical Subsidy and Community Support Project
In view of the fact that there has been shortage of psychiatric services in public hospitals and the waiting period often takes months or years, Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation (the Foundation) has started subsidising the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association since 2016 to provide early treatment and appropriate support for people with financial needs but suffering from mental distress. The programme offers treatment provided by private psychiatrists for new patients with financial difficulties and are on the waiting list for psychiatric specialist outpatient services in public hospitals, so as to avoid delayed treatment and reduce the acute demand.
In addition to subsidising the treatment and medication by private psychiatrists prior to the admission to psychiatric services at public hospitals, the programme also arranges mindfulness experiential workshops, physical activities, social support groups and psycho-educational seminars for the recipients and their families.
Between 2016 and 2020, the programme has already benefitted more than 1,700 people. The Foundation is pleased to see the programme helps improve the mental well-being of the beneficiaries when they are waiting for the public psychiatric services. The Foundation continued to support and joined forces with the Fu Tak Iam Foundation and the Shih Wing Ching Foundation in 2021 to launch a two-year project, which aims to expand the services to include additional seats for private psychiatric medical consultations and clinical psychologist counselling services to benefit more people in need.
Originally, my son had to wait until 2018 to see the doctor at the United Christian Hospital. I felt so helpless and didn't know what to do because the child could hardly sit still and concentrate on his studies. I know we had to find a solution as soon as possible, but every visit to a private practitioner costs HK$2,000 which to us is totally unaffordable. In the most desperate time, I learned that there is a scheme funded by Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation that could subsidise my son to see a doctor at a discounted price, which helped me solve the problem immediately. The teachers also realise that his condition has improved a lot. Thanks to the Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation
Thanks to this programme, my son no long needs to see the doctor again after six visits, or take the medication any more. We can now consider cancelling the forthcoming appointment at the public hospital, and leave the timeslot for the needy ones
I am so grateful that my granddaughter was able to receive early medical treatment during the long waiting time. In the past, she often stayed in her room and did not want to go out. But after taking the medication, her emotion and behaviour have improved significantly. She is now willing to go out to dine and sing with her classmates