Scaling Supply of Ambulatory Services by Partnering Private Service Operators to Meet Demands of Growing Ageing Population

Dr Charlene Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in view of the high demand for the ambulatory services offered by the Agency for Integrated Care (a) whether the Ministry will work with private service operators to provide services at subsidised rates; and (b) how does the Ministry ensure that the provision of ambulatory services islandwide will be able to keep up with our ageing population growth.

The Agency for Integrated Care refers eligible seniors to subsidised ambulatory services in the community, such as Community Rehabilitation and Day Care. We are working with a range of partners and providers from the private and non-profit sector to provide the bulk of such services. We are currently undertaking a significant effort to coordinate such services with other community services such as Active Ageing Centres and enhanced Home Personal Care services, so that seniors can transit from one setting to another smoothly, and the system operates more efficiently. The Ministry of Health will continue to review and adjust the capacity for Community Rehabilitation and Day Care to ensure seniors' needs are met.