Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Answer: Civil service eligible persons (CSEPs) are our service targets.
When CSEPs arrive at the CSCMCs, they must present original proof of identity Note (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card, Hong Kong Birth Certificate) for eligibility checking at the CSCMCs registration counter. For CSEPs whose personal particulars have not been included in the Eligibility Checking System, they must produce a valid G.F. 181(Rev. 2008)/ Try. 447(Rev. 2008)/ LS. 181(Rev.2008) as appropriate for verification of eligibility when visiting the CSCMCs.
CSCMCs would not provide service to those patients whose eligibility could not be verified.
Note: Proof of identity refers to the documents mentioned under Section 17B of "Immigration Ordinance" (Cap 115) of Hong Kong Law.
Answer: CSCMCs provide free general consultation and acupuncture services for treatment purpose to CSEPs. On provision of general consultation, subject to the clinical conditions of patients, up to a maximum of five doses of CM products (Chinese herbal medicine or CM granules) will be provided to patients per attendance. Decoction service is not covered in the free CM service. As for acupuncture service, no CM products will be provided.
Answer: The average daily number of discs of the three CSCMCs is about 350 in total. The actual number of discs available in the CSCMCs would be adjusted daily subject to the service hours and actual operation of the clinics.
Answer: CM services provided at CSCMCs are for treatment purpose only, treatment for the Not-Yet-Ill (治未病) is not under our scope of service.
Appointment-related Questions
Answer: In-person booking is not allowed at the clinics. Only patients with prior booking through telephone booking/ mobile application would be accommodated. CSCMCs will assign “same-day” and “next working day” episodic disease appointments on each working day on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
Answer: If further CM treatment is required, follow-up appointment would be arranged by clinic staff upon the recommendation of the attending CM practitioner within 30 days of consultation. As the daily number of discs is limited, if follow-up appointment could not be arranged, patients may try making an episodic disease appointment through telephone booking/ mobile application. Follow-up appointment will not be entertained in the absence of recommendation of the duty CM practitioner of CSCMCs.
Answer: Each eligible patient could, on a need basis, keep one episodic disease appointment (either general consultation or acupuncture) and one follow-up appointment (either general consultation or acupuncture) at any one time. A simultaneous second episodic disease/follow-up appointment at another CSCMC will not be entertained.
Answer: Only one appointment would be arranged via each telephone call.
Answer: Patients are not allowed to choose a particular CM practitioner for their consultation/treatment.
Answer: In the event of Tropical Cyclone Signal No.8 or above / “Extreme Condition” / Black Rainstorm Warning being hoisted, the CSCMCs will adopt the following special arrangement:
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or Above / “Extreme Condition”
Clinic service will be suspended while the warning signal or “extreme condition” is in force.
Patients with episodic diseases who have made their appointments, but due to the said weather condition hence unable to attend the appointments, may make a new appointment when service is resumed via phone/ mobile application if necessary. For patients with follow-up appointments but due to the said weather condition hence unable to attend the appointments, clinic staff will contact the patients to reschedule the appointment.
Black Rainstorm Warning Signal
If the warning signal is issued during clinic session, clinic service will be suspended while the warning signal is in force. However, clinic would take care of patients who have turned up.
If the warning signal is issued before the clinic session, clinic will remain closed while the warning signal is in force.
Patients with episodic diseases who have made their appointments, but due to the said weather condition hence unable to attend the appointments, may make a new appointment when service is resumed via phone/ mobile application if necessary. For patients with follow-up appointments but due to the said weather condition hence unable to attend the appointments, clinic staff will contact the patients to reschedule the appointment.
Other Questions
Answer: Medical expenses for CM services provided by private CM practitioners are non-reimbursable.
Answer: Paid CM dispensing service is not provided in CSCMCs. CSEPs’ out-of-pocket expenses for any services provided by Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centres will not be reimbursed. Decoction service is not covered in the free CM service.