Project Officer Wilson Lau Kwok Lam and representatives from other organisations met with the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung Mau, on 1 September 2022, to discuss the issue of direct access to physical therapy.

During the meeting, Project Officer Wilson Lau Kwok Lam shared experiences of individuals with physical disabilities who require ongoing physical therapy due to joint degeneration and pain resulting from daily activities like using canes, wheelchairs, and transfers. However, some individuals with physical disabilities have difficulty accessing follow-up appointments, as they need to wait for a doctor’s referral to a physical therapist, resulting in long wait times and delayed treatment. This situation can lead to prolonged pain and discomfort and significantly impact daily life.

We support the idea of direct access to physical therapists without the need for doctor referrals. Moving forward, we will continue to address this issue with the Secretary for Health, aiming to ensure that policy measures better cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities.