Every subdistrict across SZ to designate large community health center for primary care

Every subdistrict across Shenzhen will designate a large community health institution, including community hospitals, as the regional hub for primary care, according to a draft revision of the city’s community health service regulation recently released by the Shenzhen health authorities.

The draft updates the 2020 management measures, which had a five-year term and now need revision to reflect current needs.

It defines community health institutions as community hospitals, community health service centers and community health service stations that are registered with municipal or district health authorities and hold a Medical Institution Practice License.

Among the draft’s notable proposals is the establishment of a regional community health institution in each subdistrict. District health authorities would be required to name one large community health institution (including community hospitals) per subdistrict to coordinate resources, provide business guidance to other community facilities, and assume designated medical and public-health responsibilities.

The draft also calls for the creation of a service quality control center and an accompanying indicator system to monitor and improve community health service delivery. Community health institutions would be required to provide a range of services including basic public-health services, basic medical care, contracted family-doctor services, counseling and guidance on mental health, nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation, medical-care integration and elderly health assessment, community emergency network construction and responses to public-health incidents, as well as other services permitted by regulations.

The draft references previously issued standards for community hospitals: business-use floor space of not less than 4,500 square meters and at least 50 total beds (excluding in-home beds), with bed types focused on elder care, rehabilitation, nursing and palliative care.