Hong Kong Rehabilitation Services Guide: An Overview of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Community Rehabilitation Networks

In Hong Kong, a comprehensive rehabilitation service system helps the elderly and persons with disabilities rebuild their living abilities and reintegrate into the community. The following integrates information on physiotherapy, occupational therapy services, and community rehabilitation networks to help you grasp the essentials at a glance.

Physiotherapy: Regaining MobilityPhysiotherapy focuses on improving patients' mobility, alleviating pain, and preventing further functional decline. Services cover areas such as stroke rehabilitation, pain management, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Specialist and Resource Centre provides one-on-one physiotherapy, equipped with advanced equipment like treadmills and shockwave therapy machines.

Service Channels:

• Public Hospitals: Receive community rehabilitation physiotherapy upon referral from the Hospital Authority for only $100 per session.

• Private Clinics: Network service providers like C'noc Physiotherapy Clinic accept Healthcare Vouchers.

• Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Health Paradise: General physiotherapy costs $858 per session (approx. 45 minutes), and seniors aged 65 or above can use Healthcare Vouchers.

  
  

Occupational Therapy: Rebuilding Life SkillsOccupational therapy helps patients overcome living obstacles caused by illness or disability, regaining self-care abilities through training and environmental modifications. The SWD's Central Auxiliary Medical Services Section has an Occupational Therapy Team providing professional services to those in need. Occupational therapy services include home safety assessments, daily living training, and cognitive training.

Services Covered by Community Vouchers: Under the Community Care Service Voucher Scheme, occupational therapists can provide rehabilitation exercises and home safety assessments with improvement suggestions. Community rehabilitation occupational therapy upon Hospital Authority referral also costs $100 per session.

Community Rehabilitation Networks: Support Close to HomeDistrict Health Centres are key hubs in the community rehabilitation network. All 18 districts in Hong Kong have established District Health Centres/Centres, providing comprehensive primary healthcare services to the public. The Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre features a Smart Rehabilitation Area and an interdisciplinary team (including nurses and allied health professionals), offering health risk assessments and chronic disease management.

The government's newly launched "Primary Healthcare Co-Care Network" integrates services like the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme and Hepatitis B screening, and will gradually expand to cover areas such as geriatric pain management and rehabilitation. Eligible citizens can register as members of District Health Centres to participate in relevant services.

Additionally, the Hospital Authority provides community resource booklets for specific conditions (e.g., heart disease, stroke, diabetes), making it easy for patients and caregivers to access community rehabilitation information.

Make Good Use of Resources to Reduce BurdenThe Community Care Service Voucher operates on a "money-follows-the-user" model, covering services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation exercises. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the maximum monthly value of the Community Voucher is $10,664, with a minimum co-payment of just $223 per month for those with financial difficulties. Application requires assessment under the "Standardized Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services," and SWD approval generally takes 4 weeks.

Rehabilitation Equipment Rental: The Rehabilitation Specialist and Resource Centre provides rental services for various rehabilitation equipment, including walking aids, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.

From professional therapy to community networks, as long as these rehabilitation resources are used wisely, patients can progress steadily in their recovery within their familiar home environment and regain their independence in daily life.