Hong Kong (HK)

No formal GP registration system in HK — unlike the UK, you are not assigned to a practice. Self-refer to any private GP clinic or GOPC. Most private GP clinics in expat areas (Wan Chai, Happy Valley, Sheung Wan, Sai Kung) have same-day appointments for most non-urgent matters. Many GPs work as sole practitioners in private clinics. Expat-friendly GP clinics: International Medical Clinic (Central/TST/Wan Chai), International SOS, Central Medical Practice.

Private system: self-refer to any specialist directly — no GP referral required for private appointments. Many private specialists are based in private hospital medical centres or medical office buildings. Public system: specialist outpatient clinic (SOC) referral required from a GOPC doctor or A&E doctor — cannot self-refer to public specialists. Long waits for public specialist appointments.

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies — ambulance is free. For non-life-threatening urgent care: attend nearest A&E. Expect 3–8 hours wait for non-critical cases (P3/P4 triage). Private hospital A&E: faster (usually under 1 hour) but costs HK$800–2,500+ without insurance. Public A&E has excellent quality once you are seen — 44 hospitals with 24/7 emergency services.

Hospital Authority General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) operate extended hours including evenings and Saturdays in some locations. Call 18592 to find the nearest available GOPC session. Private GP after-hours: many clinics in expat areas offer Saturday mornings and some evenings. International SOS offers 24/7 nurse telephone advice for members.

Public: medications dispensed at GOPC/hospital pharmacy at heavily subsidised rates (included in the HK$50 GOPC fee for most standard drugs). Private: doctor writes prescription, dispensed at any private pharmacy. Most pharmacies (Watson's Health, Mannings Health) will dispense common medications without prescription at pharmacist's discretion. Prescription-only drugs require a doctor's note. Imported branded drugs are very expensive — generic equivalents available.

Not covered by public healthcare (except emergency extractions). Private dental: routine check-up + scaling HK$400–800. X-ray: HK$200–400. Simple filling: HK$500–1,500. Root canal: HK$3,000–8,000. Implant: HK$10,000–25,000. Dental insurance: some employer health plans include dental. Stand-alone dental insurance: HK$2,000–5,000/year. HKDCA (HK Dental Association) directory at hkda.com.hk.

Public: Hospital Authority Psychiatric Services — accessible via GOPC/A&E referral. Waiting times for non-urgent psychiatric outpatient: 6–18 months at most public hospitals. For acute crisis: 24/7 psychiatric services at all major hospitals. Private psychiatry: HK$800–2,500/consultation, with waiting times of 1–4 weeks typically. Private clinical psychologists: HK$600–1,800/session (50 minutes). Online therapy: Mindchef.hk, Talking Heads HK, BetterHelp (international). Samaritans 24/7 crisis: 2382 0000.

Public: maternity under Hospital Authority — ante-natal care at GOPCs and hospitals, delivery in public hospital. Cost: HK$120/day in-patient + delivery fee (approximately HK$3,000–5,000 total). Standard of care is excellent but shared wards and less choice of attending obstetrician. Private: choose your obstetrician, private room, comprehensive ante-natal programme. Total private maternity package: HK$80,000–250,000 depending on hospital, complications, and doctor's fee. Most comprehensive employer health insurance plans cover maternity. Key private hospitals for maternity: HK Sanatorium, Matilda, Gleneagles.