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Surgery

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    Yuen Long
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    Surgery

    I have a metal plate in my finger that i would like removed with the HK public health service. Doctors in the UK have told me it is an easy operation, taking only a few hours and needing no hospital stay. I am a HK ID card holder. How should I proceed - should I first go to out patient centre? What is the likely cost for such an operation?
    Thanks


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    Hong Kong
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    If done under the public health system then the cost is HK$100 or thereabouts.

    There's an expert here on metal plates in fingers and the HK public health system through recent personal experience - maybe he will be along shortly to advise.


  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by PDLM:
    If done under the public health system then the cost is HK$100 or thereabouts.

    There's an expert here on metal plates in fingers and the HK public health system through recent personal experience - maybe he will be along shortly to advise.
    Excellent thanks - I guess I get charged at each step (general outpatient, then specialist outpatient then x-rays - maybe records from UK etc) so knowing anything about it beforehand is good.
    William

  4. #4

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    You will need to see an specialist at an out patient clinic - But as you did not have the original surgery done in Hong Kong, it may take some time to get done - weeks or months to get in to see the right specialist. As PDLM says it won't cost more than $100 for a day in hospital, as you will need a GA to get it done and then half a day to recover before they let you go home.

    Best place to start is here: Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital - they specialise in hand injuries and I have had 3 operations there in the last 9 months on my hand.

    !. Referral letter from a general GP here in HK (~$60-200)
    2. Pop down to PYNH and make an appointment at the specialist out patient clinic - Level 3L (West)
    3. Make sure you take a recent utility bill with you showing your name on it and your HKID card. (first visit only - once your data is in the public system you just need your HKID)
    4. The out patient clinic will book an appointment with the specialist and have a fresh x-ray done on the same day. ($100)
    5. Once your surgery date is fixed (it is usually a Friday morning for hand stuff) you'll spend another $100 for that hospital stay which covers everything whilst your in hospital.
    6. Followup about 2 weeks later to have the stitches removed and any physio required ($60)

    wtbhotia, drumbrake, PDLM and 1 others like this.

  5. #5

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    Oct 2010
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    Sterling response, thankyou


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    I notice the quality of HK public healthcare, despite the criticism, is actually pretty good compared to the US, UK and Canada. This is to the public doctor and nurse's credit, despite the strain on resources, they are still able to peform and discharge their professional care and service competently. Of course, how much longer they can still continue to do so is another question, given the shortage of public medical staff. If you want more speedy healthcare service (and avoid the waiting-list and perhaps want better patient service too), one should look to the private healthcare sector.

    Last edited by Watercooler; 27-08-2011 at 11:52 AM.
    Char Siu King likes this.

  7. #7

    Join Date
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    Clear Water Bay (In Da Jungle)
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    Yeah my misses works there + her sister, both say that their hospital is loosing the good Doctors and Nurses to the private sector and the ones they have now are inexperienced so not as good, they do still have some good ones but they dont know how long those will stay.

    During a recent taxi ride the driver was saying instead of giving back each person 6K and letting the banks take a few hundred million as admin fee, the govt should have used that money to build a few more hospitals, hire or pay better the hospital staff. It did make sense what he was saying.

    What emx said is correct, just note the actual surgery date you get will probably be a long time away like next year, it can be shocking but there is a big back log so just be patient.

    If you have medical insurance then you can go to the private hospitals.


  8. #8

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    Surgery feedback

    I have had the surgery and am happy.
    The surgery was done at my local hospital without a long wait, without an overnight stay and it did indeed cost $60 -$100 each visit.

    Last edited by serendipityfox; 19-01-2012 at 12:15 PM.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    My niece was admitted to TKO hospital recently for an emergency. It was my first exposure to the hospital system here and it was pleasing to see how professionally and efficiently the system worked on this occasion.

    Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using GeoClicks Mobile


  10. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Great to have the feedback.

    Make sure you keep up with the rehabilitation exercises they show you, so the joints in your fingers don't stiffen up .