State healthcare

Posted by ingo (394 days ago)

My family may shortly be moving to Hong Kong. I wanted to know what the state hospitals/healthcare system is like. Are there long waiting lists? Is English widely spoken? (For any Brits out there, how does it compare to the NHS?) We need to determine whether private health insurance is necessary.
Feedback greatfully received!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by docboat (394 days ago)

The government system here is probably better than the NHS, if a little less patient-friendly. But for immediate care, the service here is excellent. On the private front you get some of the best doctors in the world. Some of the worst too, but word of mouth helps. Health insurance is pretty much essential. English is widely spoken in all private practices, and the HA, but you will not feel comfortable in some circumstances where an understanding is pretended, and you know fine they do not understand.

(I am based in Hong Kong)