Hong Kong’s healthcare system faces growing challenges from an ageing population, increasing chronic diseases burden, rising healthcare costs, and changing healthcare needs. The Centre conducts research to support the development of a more sustainable, equitable, and people-centred health system through evidence-based policy and service innovations

Our research focuses on health financing, primary healthcare, long-term care, healthcare management, and service delivery models to improve population health and healthcare outcomes.

(i) Strategic Purchasing and Health Financing 

In collaboration with Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), the Centre have been researching policy intervention which address the challenges of ensuring Hong Kong’s health system in “fit-for-purpose” and completed studies on strategies and instruments to enable this.

Centre has launched a study report on how to strategically organise Hong Kong’s health financing system, titled “Strategic Purchasing: Enabling Health for All”, during a symposium held on 20 December 2021 to actualise “Health for All” in a primary care-led people centred integrated care. Building on the 2018 health policy report “Fit for Purpose: A Health System for the 21^st Century”, the latest report pointed out that Hong Kong’s health system is yet to be fit to cater for the emerging healthcare demands shaped by the needs of a rapidly ageing population and growing chronic disease burden. Key findings highlighted the importance for available resources within Hong Kong’s current health financing portfolio to be allocated more strategically for the critical health system goal for transformation to a primary care-led integrated person-centred health system.

The Centre has also conducted a series of studies evaluating the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme, examining its impact on healthcare utilization, primary care services, and patient access to care. Findings from these studies have been published in international peer-reviewed journals [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31898988/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34174858/, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3200178/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33128419/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31752826/] , and have contributed to policy discussions on healthcare financing and service delivery.

(ii) Primary Care Ecosystem

The Centre has undertaken comprehensive evaluations of the District Health Centre Scheme (DHC), which was proposed in the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive’s Policy Address in 2017 to promote individual and community involvement, enhance coordination among various medical and social sectors, and strengthen district‑level primary healthcare services.

Commissioned by the former Food and Health Bureau (FHB), the Centre first evaluated the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre and subsequently expanded the evaluation to the Sham Shui Po District Health Centre. Using a mixed method research grounded on implementation science, the studies assessed programme design, service delivery, implementation challenges, and community impacts.

The findings have provided valuable evidence to support the Government’s Primary Healthcare Blueprint and ongoing development of a district-based, family-centric primary healthcare system in Hong Kong.

(iii) Study on Post Discharge Support and Long Term Care

The Centre has conducted several government-commissioned studies to evaluate community care and long-term care services for older people.

Since 2017, the Centre has evaluated the Pilot Scheme on Residential Care Services Vouchers for the Elderly, which provides subsidies and greater choice for elderly persons seeking residential care services. The findings informed refinements to the scheme and supported its extension by the Government.

The Centre has also evaluated the Pilot Scheme on Support for Elderly Persons Discharged from Public Hospitals after Treatment, which provides transitional care services to facilitate recovery and reduce unnecessary institutionalisation. Study findings have informed the development of enhanced service models and subsequent programme extensions.

(iv) Cancer Care

The Centre conducted a territory-wide study on Cancer Care in Hong Kong, funded by AIA Hong Kong.

The study examined service needs, gaps in public and private provision, arrangement, and barriers to accessing cancer care and cancer screening services. Findings were synthesised into a policy brief [https://hspr.cuhk.edu.hk/news/study-on-cancer-care-in-hong-kong/] to support the development of a comprehensive cancer care and control strategy in Hong Kong, with particular focus on prevention, early detection, and screening.

(v) Private Medical Services and Tele-Health  

Commissioned by the Consumer Council, the Centre conducted a study on Private Medical Services and Telehealth Services in Hong Kong.

The study examined the scope and price transparency of services provided by private hospitals and day procedure centres, as well as consumers’ experiences and satisfaction with private medical services and telehealth services. It also explored healthcare professionals’ perspectives on telehealth services, and generated recommendations to improve service quality, transparency, and consumer protection. The Consumer Council has incorporated our findings into their reports on “Price Transparency in Healthcare: Fostering Consumer Trust and Value” [https://www.consumer.org.hk/en/advocacy/study-report/private_healthcare_services_study] and “Enhancing Governance in Telehealth: Fostering Consumer Trust and Innovation” [https://www.consumer.org.hk/en/advocacy/study-report/telehealth_services_study]

(vi) Health Management and Service Delivery

The Centre was commissioned by the Hospital Authority (HA) to conduct a comprehensive review of its health services management framework.

The study assessed the effectiveness of existing service management arrangements and identified opportunities to enhance the efficiency, performance, and responsiveness of HA services. The research included local and international literature reviews and extensive stakeholder engagement involving more than 300 participants across departmental, hospital, cluster, and headquarters levels. Findings and recommendations were presented to HA leadership to support future service improvement initiatives.

The Centre is also examining the impact of the 2026 Hospital Authority public hospital fee and charge reform, which was introduced to improve resource allocation and reduce misuse of public healthcare services. A questionnaire survey has been completed to establish baseline data on public awareness and perceptions of the reform. Findings relating to affordability and equity of access are being prepared for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal.

Building on this work, the Centre plans to evaluate the implementation and impact of the fee reform, including its effects on healthcare-seeking behaviour, service utilisation, equity of access, and implementation challenges. The findings will provide evidence to inform future refinements to healthcare financing policies in Hong Kong.