Media Release

 
(4 May 2020 – Hong Kong) Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (Gleneagles) has launched today virtual consultation service for its existing oncology and gastroenterology and hepatology patients as another step forward in giving patients an additional option of receiving care from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

  
The new service through video conferencing with doctors aims to ease the mind of patients who may be particularly concerned about attending medical consultations in the current situation. A patient may request for a virtual consultation session by calling a designated appointment number. After a customer service staff has confirmed the details of and payment for the consultation, the patient will be assisted by a nurse for registration before the appointment time. Upon completion of the consultation, a hospital staff will contact the patient for delivery of medication, and for patient’s extra peace of mind, the patient will have the option of medication delivery by the hospital. Medication counselling by a pharmacist will also be provided as necessary.

  
Mr Dirk Schraven, Chief Executive Officer of Gleneagles, said “We consider the continuity of care to patients even in challenging circumstances an important part of our duty of care. The pandemic has not only called for the need to address concerns of patients who require continued professional care, but also the need to rethink and innovate our services in order to provide safe and the most appropriate healthcare options to patients as situation and expectation change.” “As health care adapts to expectations of more convenience and service innovation riding on the use of technology, we believe that virtual consultation will become a core part of future healthcare services,” Mr Schraven added.

  
"Oncology patients are generally more vulnerable in the current situation, with the option of virtual consultation, stable patients who require frequent follow-up consultation for surveillance and/or continued prescription of medication can be free from the stress of coming to a clinic or hospital when community infection is prevailing. To ensure that patient’s well-being is safeguarded, a doctor will assess a patient’s suitability for such consultation before a virtual session is confirmed with the patient. Virtual consultation also allows the doctor to engage more carers or family members than will otherwise be possible as they may not be physically available to accompany the patient for regular face-to-face consultation," said Dr Roger Ngan, Specialist in Clinical Oncology at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong.

  
Taking into consideration feedback from patients and doctors, Gleneagles will consider extending the service to other specialties and to patients with chronic diseases such as those with high blood pressure, diabetes and respiratory conditions. In making the experience a seamless and hassle-free one, the service is supported by a team of customer service staff and nurses who will give patients all the necessary assistance as they go through the different steps. Equipment requirement for patients is minimal and only a camera-installed mobile or desktop computer device will be needed to allow the virtual consultation.

  
Further details on the virtual consultation service are available on: https://gleneagles.hk/facilities-services/stay-home-stay-safe-virtual-consultation-for-oncology-and-gastroenterology-hepatology-patients

Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong

Located at Wong Chuk Hang on Hong Kong Island South, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (Gleneagles) is a multi-specialty private hospital, providing 500 beds, cutting-edge medical technologies and a comprehensive range of clinical services spanning more than 35 specialties and subspecialties. As Hong Kong’s top-notch private teaching hospital, Gleneagles also contributes to the training and development of healthcare professionals and advancement of clinical research.

Gleneagles is a joint venture between Parkway Pantai Limited and NWS Holdings Limited, with The University of Hong Kong as its exclusive clinical partner. Parkway Pantai is one of Asia’s largest integrated private healthcare groups and the largest operating subsidiary of IHH Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare groups in the world by market capitalisation, operating more than 15,000 licensed beds across 80 hospitals in 10 countries worldwide.