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為生命晚期作預備

紓緩治療是指改善身患危疾重症病人的生活質素、協助患者的家人面對照顧上的困難、及病人和其家人面對死亡的治療態度。世界衞生組織(WHO)確認紓緩治療是一項重要的全球性健康議題，並敦促各國醫療體系訂立服務指引以改善有關服務，特別是在基層醫療及社區或家居照顧上¹。

香港人均壽命為全球最長，人口老化問題嚴重，慢性疾病的人口持續上升，對紓緩治療服務的需求將會遞增。現時，香港的紓緩治療服務主要由醫院管理局(醫管局)轄下醫院提供，為末期病人提供全面的綜合專科治療護理。

有見社會對紓緩治療服務的需求增加，但公眾認知有待提昇，香港醫學會(醫學會)於本年二月成立「生命晚期治療委員會」，邀請包括醫療、法律及社會服務界別的專家加入，並由醫學會會長何仲平醫生，MH, JP及會董兼老人科專科醫生佘達明擔任委員會主席。委員會的目標是希望協調本港對末期病人於生命晚期時所需的治療、讓不同界別的專業人士透過經驗交流而產生協同效應、及提昇醫生對有關治療的關注；從而在社區加強醫護人員對病人於生命晚期時的照顧，及改善其生活質素。

香港醫學會和醫院管理局於昨天(六月九日)下午假衞生防護中心聯合舉辦「生命晚期治療座談會」。由多位來自不同界別的專家，分享痛症控制、生命晚期的法律問題、護理上的貼士、社區合作和支援、醫管局的紓緩治療發展等題目，為參與的醫生提供有關生命晚期治療的現況和社區支援服務等寶貴的資料，從而達致在社區上支援更多有需要的市民。

二零一九年六月十日

參考資料：

1           世界衞生組織 – 生命晚期治療的重要事實

www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care

附：活動相片

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PRESS RELEASE

10 June 2019

Well-prepared for End-Of-Life Care

Palliative Care refers to the approach on improving the quality of life of terminally-ill patients, their families who are facing problems on taking care of the patients, and to lead the patients and their families on anticipating death.  The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that Palliative Care should be in key global mandates, and the access to Palliative Care should be improved especially in primary care and community/home-based care¹. 

Hong Kong is facing a rapidly ageing population and rising prevalence of chronic diseases.  In addition, Hong Kong people enjoy the longest life expectancies in the world.  The needs for Palliative Care services in the community is progressively increasing.  Palliative Care services are mainly provided by public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA) in Hong Kong.  Comprehensive care through inter-disciplinary collaboration are provided for the terminally-ill patients.

In view of the growing demands on Palliative Care services, while the public lacks knowledge on such services, the Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) has set up the “Committee on End of Life Care” in February this year.  Members of the Committee are experts from medical, legal and social sectors.  HKMA’s President, Dr. HO Chung Ping, MH, JP, and Council Member cum Specialist in Geriatric Medicine, Dr. SHEA Tat Ming, Paul, co-chair the Committee.  The Committee is set up to coordinate care services for terminal-ill patients approaching the end of life, to create synergies among different sectors to exchange experiences and views, and to enhance the awareness on EOL Care of medical doctors.  EOL Care services offered by community healthcare professionals are expected to be strengthened, so as to improve the quality of life of the terminally-ill patients in the community.

A “Symposium on End of Life Care” was co-organized by the HKMA and HA yesterday (9 June) in the Centre for Health Protection.  Experts of various professional fields were invited to give talks on pain control, practical tips, legal issues on EOL Care, social care and palliative care development in HA, so that the participating doctors can be updated with the latest EOL Care services for better management of their patients in need.

Reference:

1        World Health Organization – Key Facts on Palliative Care

www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care  

Encl.: Photos of the event

編輯備忘：

香港醫學會成立於一九二零年，旨在聯繫政府、各公立醫療機構、大學及私人執業的醫務工作者，交流意見，團結一心。醫學會致力將最新的醫療資訊及醫務發展傳遞與會員，提倡會員遵行專業操守，進而服務社會，維護民康。

Notes to editors:

The Hong Kong Medical Association, founded in 1920, aims to bring together Hong Kong's government, institutional, university and private medical practitioners for an effective exchange of views and co-ordination of efforts.  The foremost objective of the Association is to safeguard and promote public health.  The Association speaks collectively for its members and aims to keep its members abreast of medical ethics, issues and advances around the world.  In fulfilling these goals, the association hopes to better serve the people of Hong Kong.