Abstract
Pioneered by Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, hospice care has been developing in Hong Kong for over 30 years. This chapter examines the past and present of the palliative and hospice care movement in Hong Kong as well as the future of end-of-life care in the region. This chapter also provides an introduction to palliative care and its functions in helping patients with life-limiting illnesses. A review of overseas end-of-life studies suggests that palliative care improves perceived quality of death, reduces hospitalisation rates, and acts as a buffer against grief and caregiver stress. Countries with high quality of death have implemented the necessary policies and infrastructure to support and promote end-of-life care. In Hong Kong, nearly all deaths occur in hospitals. With the population rapidly ageing, there is a pressing need for additional end-of-life services. Collaboration between primary care and palliative care professionals is vital to maintaining quality of care, continuity of care, and doctor-patient relationships. An integrative care model involving home hospice, with the support of hospice care centres, is key to effective community palliative care and improving the quality of death in Hong Kong.
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The hospice movement began in Hong Kong when the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care was established in June 1986 by a dedicated group of advocates for the better care of patients with terminal illness.
Bradbury Hospice was officially opened on 7 November 1992, becoming the first independent hospice in Hong Kong. The 26-bed facility was built to provide a holistic care service for underprivileged patients with terminal illness. Pictured is Charles, Prince of Wales, attending the opening ceremony. Backed by strong support from the government, the hospice was handed over to the Hospital Authority on 1 April 1995, signifying the recognition of hospice care in the overall health-care system of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Palliative Nursing Association, formally known as the Hong Kong Hospice Nurses’ Association, was established on 25 June 1997 with the goal to gather palliative care nurses and promote hospice development.
The Hong Kong Society of Palliative Medicine, an academic body of palliative medicine specialists in Hong Kong, was established in May 1997. The membership consists of local medical practitioners and other interested health-care professionals.
The Jockey Club Home for Hospice is the first of its kind in Hong Kong – a family-oriented hospice residence that takes a modern, compassionate approach to hospice and palliative care by instilling hope and positivity in the patients and their loved ones. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 24 October 2013, and construction was completed in mid-2016. Inpatient care services were initiated shortly after in December 2016.
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Chu, C., Tsui, J. (2020). Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues. In: Fong, B., Law, V., Lee, A. (eds) Primary Care Revisited . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2521-6_12
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