Hong Kong Jockey Club project much needed and most welcome in city where some 90 per cent of people die in hospital
The provision of comprehensive and compassionate end-of-life care for seriously ill patients is vital if they are to spend their final days in relative comfort. But the provision of palliative care is underdeveloped around the world, including in Hong Kong. The service gap for those who are physically or intellectually disabled is especially wide. A new Hong Kong Jockey Club project, to provide end-of-life support for older people with disabilities, is much needed and most welcome.
The HK$290 million Unison project is expected to serve more than 3,000 disabled people and 4,000 carers over the next five years. Specially trained frontline workers from 10 non-governmental organisations will help patients and families better prepare for death.
Advance care planning and life and death education will be among the services provided. One key aim is to enable terminally ill patients to communicate their wishes clearly. This can provide them with peace of mind and those around them with clarity at the end of their life. It will ease the stress on both the patients and their carers.
