Newsletter Archives - Central Health Medical Practice

Central Health on Duddell Street is moving!

chadmin — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:45:22 +0000

After 20 years at Baskerville House, Central Health is relocating to a new, purpose-designed clinic space just around the corner at New World Tower,
opening on 9 February 2026.

Our new home brings our obstetricians, paediatricians, family doctors, psychiatrists and specialists together in a larger, integrated premises, allowing us to enhance the way we care for our patients.

With improved accessibility, updated facilities and easier collaboration, we look forward to offering a more seamless, cohesive clinical journey, making your medical care the very best experience we can.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to our new clinic. All phone numbers, WhatsApp and email contacts remain unchanged.

Our new address:

Central Health Hong Kong
37/F, New World Tower 1
16–18 Queen’s Road Central
Central, Hong Kong

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World Menopause Day

chadmin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:15:40 +0000

Introducing our New Doctors

Dr Nikki Lee

*Obstetrics and Gynaecology from December 2025

LMCHK, MBBS, MRCOG (UK), FHKCOG, FHKAM (O&G)

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Nikki Lee to Central Health. Nikki brings with her the rare advantage of having trained and practised in both London and Hong Kong, combining the strengths of two world-class medical systems. She completed her medical degree at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and started specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology in several of London’s leading hospitals, before moving back to Hong Kong and completing training at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Nikki’s approach to medicine is holistic, warm, and deeply centred on the wellbeing of women at every stage of life but especially maternal health during pregnancy. She enjoys supporting women and ensuring best outcomes for both mother and baby through thoughtful lifestyle measures alongside clinical care. She has experience in high-risk pregnancy care, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, pelvic and sexual pain disorders, and post-menopausal health.

Alongside her clinical practice, Nikki has contributed to medical education and research, reflecting her commitment to advancing women’s health. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, she is able to support women from diverse cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and understanding.

Outside medicine, Nikki is a mother of two who loves exercise, travel, and good food. She also enjoys spending time on the water, taking peaceful boating trips around Hong Kong’s islands.

Dr. Lee will be working full time with Central Health in Central, Hong Kong, and will be delivering babies and performing surgery at Matilda International Hospital.

For appointments, please email enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk

Dr Alan Ka Ho Cheng

Specialist in Psychiatry
MBChB (CUHK), FHKCPsych, FHKAM (Psychiatry)
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Alan Cheng to Central Health’s adult and child mental health team. Alan brings not only extensive international training and experience from Canada and Hong Kong, but also a reputation for warmth, compassion, and a deeply patient-centred approach to care.

After completing undergraduate and master’s degrees in biomedical sciences in Canada, Alan returned to Hong Kong, where he has spent over a decade working across the full spectrum of psychiatry. His experience spans both adult and child services, and he has held senior positions in one of the busiest and most demanding departments of the Hospital Authority. Alongside his clinical practice, Alan has been dedicated to mentoring trainees and supporting colleagues, reflecting his commitment to nurturing the next generation of psychiatrists.

Alan has particular expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry, psychiatric evaluations, and the management of complex mental health conditions. He believes in tailoring care to each individual, using both medical and non-medical approaches, and places great importance on continuity—working closely with patients and their families to provide support, reduce stigma, and build resilience.

Outside of work, Alan is a keen musician, playing the flute with several orchestras, and enjoys spending time with his family and exploring new restaurants.

For appointments, please email enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk

Dr Beth Chiam

Resident Medical Officer
MB BCh BAO (NUI, RCSI), LRCP&SI

Dr Beth Chiam graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2022 and completed her Hong Kong Licensing Medical Examinations in 2024. Originally from Singapore and fluent in English, with conversational Cantonese and Mandarin, she brings a strong cross-cultural perspective to her clinical practice.

With experience in diverse healthcare settings and a keen interest in general practice, Dr Chiam is focused on building long-term, supportive relationships with patients and their families. She is based at our Discovery Bay clinic and is currently familiarizing herself there across core family medicine services.

Her hobbies include photography and spending time in the sun.

For appointments please email enquiries.db@centralhealth.com.hk

The Mind Hong Kong Conference 2025

The Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference 2025, hosted by Mind HK, is set to take place from 6–8 November at Hotel ICON and Poly U. The event will focus on mental health across the lifespan with the theme “Navigating Life’s Defining Moments”. Over 50 distinguished international and local speakers will address topics including perinatal and parental mental health, life transitions, grief, bereavement, and end-of-life care.

Event Schedule

Conference (6–7 Nov): Sessions on evidence, psychology, and cultural perspectives.
Mental Wellbeing Festival (8 Nov): Public day featuring interactive experiences and guest speakers, open to all.

The conference is open to anyone interested in mental health, whether from Hong Kong or abroad. While the first two days cater more to academic and clinical interests, the third day offers practical learning and interactive opportunities for the general public.

Early bird tickets are available until September 12th exclusively through Ticketflap. To learn more or to register, visit www.hkmentalhealthconference.com

World Menopause Day

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but for many women it brings challenging symptoms such as hot flushes, disrupted sleep, low mood, and loss of confidence. In Hong Kong, the hot and humid climate can make symptoms feel even more intense, while in London long waiting times can delay treatment. At Central Health, we believe all women deserve timely, compassionate and evidence based support.

To mark World Menopause Day, our London and Hong Kong teams have come together to share 20 top tips for navigating menopause.

These are divided into four practical areas:
• How to help yourself with lifestyle changes such as sleep routines, exercise, and nutrition.
• How your doctor can help with safe and effective treatments including HRT, vaginal estrogen, testosterone, and the new medication fezolinetant.
• Natural remedies including mindfulness, yoga, and plant estrogens.
• Five things your husband can do to provide support, understanding, and empathy.

Whether you are in Marylebone or Central, our clinicians are here to help you manage your menopause with confidence.

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Moving Abroad for boarding school or university? Our psychologists, family doctors, child, adolescent and adult psychiatrists share their best advice.

chadmin — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:22:05 +0000

Supporting Your Teen Through the Big Move: A Guide for Hong Kong Parents
Sending your child to study abroad whether they’re heading off to boarding school or starting university is an exciting and emotional time for the whole family. It’s a moment of great pride, but also a period of change and uncertainty. With the right preparation and mindset, the transition can be smoother for both parents and children. Here are eight simple yet powerful ways to support your teen during this important life step.

For Children Starting Boarding School:

Talk openly about emotions
Boarding school brings with it a mix of excitement and nerves especially for younger students. Let your child know that feeling homesick or unsure at first is completely normal. Encourage open conversations, but don’t push them to share before they’re ready. Creating a safe, supportive space for emotions can make all the difference.

Practice independence at home
Help your child prepare for life away from home by developing their independence in small, manageable ways. Let them take charge of organizing their belongings, managing simple routines, or even doing laundry with supervision. These small steps can build big confidence before term begins.

Familiarise them with the new setting
If you can, visit the school in advance to make the environment more familiar. If not, explore the school’s website together, look through pictures and videos, and talk about daily life there. When students know what to expect, the unknown feels far less intimidating.Keep goodbyes low-pressure
It’s natural to feel emotional on departure day, but keeping your goodbye calm and confident will help your child feel secure. Let them know you trust them and believe in their ability to thrive. A quiet, positive send-off often works better than a long, emotional farewell.

For Teens Starting University:

Give them a return date to hold on to
Even without booking a ticket, having a plan for when they’ll come home next gives students something steady to look forward to. It helps to know that home is still there—unchanged and waiting, giving them the reassurance to fully engage in their new life.

Maintain familiar routines
When everything else feels new, having a few familiar routines can offer structure and comfort. Encourage your teen to maintain habits they already enjoy whether that’s a workout schedule, a journaling practice, or a morning routine. These small consistencies help keep them anchored.

Acknowledge the change
Especially if your family is also going through changes like relocating or downsizing—it’s important to help your teen mark the transition. This is them moving into the next stage of life! Suggest they create a checklist of favourite Hong Kong experiences to enjoy before they leave. Saying goodbye well helps them start fresh with confidence.

Stay connected, but not too connected
University students crave independence but still benefit from gentle parental scaffolding. Talk about how often to check in, and balance serious chats with lighter ones about pets, family, or everyday life. Keep the connection going without crowding their space.

How Central Health Can Support Your Family
Our team at Central Health London and Hong Kong provides a continuity of care that spans the globe, sharing the same standards of clinical excellence and family values.
Experienced psychologists and counsellors are available to support families through the transition from secondary school to university. Parents can schedule sessions with clinicians to discuss their concerns and goals for their children.
Teenagers can build a personal relationship with a trusted adult who can help guide them through the transition from living at home to moving to school or college accommodation with confidence.
On arrival in the UK, we can provide with exceptional medical care including any required vaccinations or health checks. We can also offer psych-educational assessments for ADHD and ASD, to allow for educational accommodations to be made if needed.

Written by: Dr Hannah Reidy, Emma Rhoda, Dr Melissa Giglio

The brochure below has more information on how Central Health supports International Students. Alternatively, you can email:
info@centralhealthlondon.com for information on packages, assessments and other appointments

With the opening of Central Health London in Marylebone together with our Child Development Team in Hong Kong, we are pleased to present a coordinated private student support service for parents and their children transitioning to school or university in the UK.

Our Paediatricians, General Practitioners and Psychological Therapists at Central Health Hong Kong and Central Health London have decades of experience between them supporting teens and young adults transitioning to school and university
As many Hong Kong and expatriate families prepare to send children overseas for school or university this September, we know how exciting—but also daunting—this transition can be. That’s why Central Health London and Central Health in Hong Kong, is offering comprehensive student healthcare services designed to support teens and young adults ( and their parents ) as they settle into life and learning in the UK.
Central Health London is built on the same model that has supported generations of families at Central Health Hong Kong, our team in London provides the same compassionate, high-quality care for your children while they’re away from home.

Our Student Support Services include:

1. Student Health Check and vaccine review. A general health check and review of vaccines by one of our General Practitioners or paediatricians either in Hong Kong or London. With permission we can share records between London and Hong Kong, update vaccine records and provide any medical reports needed by schools or universities.
2. Proactive Mental Health SupportA package of sessions with our HK or UK-based mental health team designed to help students prepare emotionally for the transition and cope during their first term.Includes:• 1–2 in person pre-departure sessions with Central Health Hong Kong (or online with Central Health London) to explore expectations and mental wellbeing.• 4–5 sessions in the UK (Or online with Central Health London) during the first school year or the first university term, offering support as students adapt to independent living and academic demands.This package also enables quick access to additional care if needed.
3. Responsive Mental Health CareFor students who find themselves struggling once term begins, we offer direct access to psychiatry and extra therapeutic support.
4. ADHD Screening School & University AccommodationsWe offer full ADHD assessments for students aged 18+, with written reports to support requests for academic accommodations. This service follows our trusted Central Health protocol and in line with UK best practice

Our Team

Central Health’s International Student Support Service is led by Dr Hannah Reidy.Hannah is our Psychological Therapies Lead in London, after working within and leading the Psychology team in Hong Kong for 7 years. A Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Hannah brings exceptional insight into both the emotional needs of adolescents and the demands of the UK boarding and university systems. She has extensive experience working with this client group clinically, as well as many years living within the boarding and international school community in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Central Health Hong Kong

• Dr Melissa Ortega, Clinical Psychologist, specialist in child and adolescent mental health, including ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder anxiety and depression.

• Dr Katie Farndale, Clinical Psychologist, experienced in supporting parents and children adjusting to boarding school life.

• Dr Michelle Tam, Consultant Psychiatrist, supports mental health and educational transitions with a collaborative, family-centred approach.

• Dr Alan Cheng, Consultant Psychiatrist, combines medical and psychological care along with his extensive experience with children and adolescents

• Dr Dede Chan, General Practitioner, provides inclusive, culturally sensitive care, with personal insight into relocation.

Central Health London

• Dr Hannah Reidy, Clinical Psychologist, expert in adolescent mental health, UK boarding and university systems, and international school transitions.

• Emma Rhoda, Counsellor, years of experience supporting students transferring to British and international schools and universities.

• Dr Gracemary Leung, Clinical Psychologist who has worked within university populations and has a special interest in addictive behaviours.

• Dr Benjamin Davis, General Practitioner, expertise in family medicine, travel health and relationship therapy.

• Dr Naila Aslam, General Practitioner, focuses on holistic, lifestyle-based care for international students and families.

• Dr Shiri Lejay, Consultant Paediatrician, skilled in managing physical and mental health including eating disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions.

• Dr Harriet Stewart, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, extensive experience supporting neurodiverse international students.

Contact Us

London
info@centralhealthlondon.com
+44 207 118 7588
23 Devonshire Place, Marylebone, London W1G 6JB

Hong Kong
enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk
+ 852 2824 0823
3-5 Floor Baskerville House, 13 Duddell St, Central, Hong Kong

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Central Health Hours for Dragon Boat Festival

chadmin — Thu, 29 May 2025 03:10:17 +0000

Central Health on Duddell Street will be opened 31 May 2025 on Dragon Boat Festival from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Please call the clinic in the morning at 2824 0822 to make an appointment. For public holiday appointments, please do not What’sApp or email as we need to confirm timing. The GP consultation fee for out of hours is $1400.Good luck to those who will be participating in Dragon Boat race this weekend!

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Updates from Central Health May 2025

chadmin — Fri, 09 May 2025 13:42:36 +0000

Welcome back to those who managed an Easter break—and for everyone else, we hope you found some time to rest and relax.

We’ve had great feedback about the extra clinics we’ve been offering on Saturdays and public holidays. We’d love to hear your suggestions on other times that might be helpful for extended hours or additional clinics. Feel free to email Dr Eugene Kwan at drkwan@centralhealth.com.hk with your thoughts.

We’ll be providing a full update next week about additional clinics over the upcoming public holidays, as well as which doctors will be working on Saturdays in May and June.

For now, though, we’re excited to share some news about our newest clinic—Central Health London.

Central Health London is now open!

Last year, we announced that Dr Lucy Lord, Central Health’s Senior Partner and veteran obstetrician, was relocating to London after her husband was appointed Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority.

Those of you who know Lucy—and particularly those whose children she delivered—will not be surprised to learn that her planned semi-retirement, working one day per week in the NHS doing a C-section operating list, was not enough to keep her occupied.

As a result, Central Health Group now has a new clinic: Central Health London!Lucy may have left Hong Kong, but she continues to feel its influence and was unable to resist buying 23 Devonshire Place—a seven storey Grade II listed early Georgian medical building in the heart of London’s Harley Street healthcare district.

After nine months spent renovating 7,500 sq ft of medical space, passing Care Quality Commission accreditation, and recruiting a full complement of midwives, nurses, obstetricians, paediatricians, family doctors, psychiatrists, specialist physicians, and psychologists—Central Health London has officially opened its doors.

With the same model and values that have successfully cared for generations of families in Hong Kong, Lucy and the Central Health team (special thanks to Anita and Monisha) have launched Central Health London and brought a new standard of transparency, convenience, and clinical excellence to the notoriously difficult-to-navigate London private healthcare scene.

Central Health London is led by Lucy and Dr Jamie Arkell, Lead Psychiatrist. Lucy and Jamie bring their enthusiasm, renowned clinical expertise, and commitment to outstanding patient care. Lucy is also delighted that several members of her team from Hong Kong (both Central Health and MindHK)—Dr Debbie Lovell, Dr Hannah Reidy, Emma Rhoda, and Dr Hannah Sugarman—have joined her at Central Health London.

Lucy, Debbie, the two Hannahs, and Emma would like to extend an invitation to any of their friends, patients, and any Central Health Hong Kong patients to visit Central Health London.
We are, of course, happy to see those who need help with a medical issue—but equally happy to welcome anyone who simply wants to see what we’re doing in London and say hello.
We are just around the corner from Marylebone high street, arguably the best shopping in London and definitely the best food.

Contacts
debbielovell@centralhealthlondon.com
hannahreidy@centralhealthlondon.com
emmarhoda@centralhealthlondon.com
hannahsugarman@centralhealthlondon.com
lucylord@centralhealthlondon.com

Central health London
23 Devonshire Place
Marylebone
London W1G 6JB
phone +44 207 118 7588
Appointments info@centralhealthlondon.com

Website: www.centralhealthlondon.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralhealthlondon/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Central-Health-London/61571477503092

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Updates from Central Health Jan 2025

chadmin — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:43:22 +0000

Happy Lunar New Year!

For the holidays please check you have copies of our out of hours emergency contacts.

January 29th: CLOSED

January 30th: Open for sick patients 9:00am-12:00pm (out of hours consult charge GP$1400 Paeds $1600)

January 31st: CLOSED

February 1st: Usual opening hours 8:30am-1pm

Exciting news for the new year!

Dr Brianna Cloke MA ,Cantab MBBS PhD MRCOG will be joining both Central Health Hong Kong and Central Health London from February this year. Brianna grew up in Hong Kong but received her medical education in the UK. Her parents live in Hong Kong and her children are continuing their education in the UK, so she plans to work in both London and Hong Kong

Brianna has full medical registration in the UK and Hong Kong. She has expertise is in all aspects of women’s health and along with standard well women services, contraception and early cancer detection, she particularly enjoys providing second opinions for complex cases. She has special interests in, early pregnancy problems, recurrent miscarriage, paediatric/adolescent gynaecology, management of the menopause, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and chronic pelvic pain.

Brianna will be holding clinics in Central Health Hong Kong Monday to Saturday from Feb 3rd to Feb 15th 2025 and in Central Health London from 8th of April 2025.

For appointments at Central Health Hong Kong email enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk

At Central Health London email enquiries@centralhealthlondon.com

Check out Dr. Charles Brantly as a guest speaker for The Process Podcast Men’s health series:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mens-health-series-strength-sexual-function-and-manliness/id1502962921?i=1000678879802

We have put together some workshops and groups to support families and parents this year. Space are limited so sign up soon at enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk

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Central Health Updates Dec 2024

chadmin — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 07:50:18 +0000

Merry Christmas from Central Health and from our founding partner Dr Lucy Lord, who recently received her MBE medal from Prince William for her contribution to healthcare in Hong Kong!

For the holidays please check you have copies of our out of hours emergency contacts.

December 24: Normal service 8:30am to 4pm

December 25th: CLOSED

December 26th: GP clinic holiday opening for sick patients 9:30am-12:30pm (out of hours consult charge $1400)

December 31st: Normal service 8:30am to 4pm

January 1st: CLOSED

New Year Fitness Goal:

Overwhelming evidence exists that lifelong exercise is associated with a longer health span and improved quality of life. As well as routine blood work and physical examination, the Athletic Health Screen will assess your baseline fitness objectively and highlight areas for improvement. This applies to men and women of any age and of varying levels of fitness. The objective is the same for us all, to do better than last year!

A reminder that we are offering Central Health patients the option to connect with us via Imunis, an online platform changing the way patients and doctors manage vaccine records & recommendations.

Alongside simplifying the process of vaccine record-keeping & staying up-to-date with the latest recommendations, Imunis has launched a new travel feature, allowing account holders to access the latest travel vaccination recommendations and requirements for their specific travel itinerary.
To enrol, simply click the button below, complete the form and look out for an email invitation from one of our team to complete a secure onboarding process.

Enrol with Imunis via Central Health

For existing users, click your home screen Imunis icon, or follow the link below to sign into your account.

Sign in to Imunis

Mind HK fundraising appeal – Help provide psychological support for those in need

With the added pressure to be joyful and come together with family or friends, the holidays can be a difficult time. This holiday season local charity Mind HK is raising awareness of the unseen struggles faced by so many youth and adults in our city.
All funds will go to its Improving Access to Community Therapies service, or iACT, which provides frontline psychological care to youth and adults experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms. The talking therapy service is free for the user and consists of up to eight sessions with a Mind HK trained Wellbeing Practitioner. More than 4,700 young people and adults have used the service so far and over 70% of users showed significant improvement after receiving treatment.
Mind HK was founded by Central Health senior partner, Dr Lucy Lord and Central Health was one of the pioneering partners of this project. The charity now delivers the service in a range of settings, including pharmacies, local secondary schools, District Health Centres, online – and here at Central Health. If you want to see an iACT Wellbeing Practitioner at the clinic in Central, please email Jacqueline at jacqueline.chan.2024@iact.hk
The iACT service is proven to help reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life. It equips users with the tools to manage life’s ups and downs – whether during the holidays or not. “Thanks to iACT I finally emerged from a vortex I’d been trapped in for 20 years, and learned to coexist with my emotions”, service user Song shared with Mind HK.
Please consider a donation to help someone who might be struggling in silence this holiday season. Just 375 HKD can fund one session, or 3,000 HKD will fund a full course of treatment.

Donate to Mind HK’s Holiday Appeal

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Central Health Updates October 2024

chadmin — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:09:28 +0000

Brain Health

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are one of the ten most common causes of death in the developed world. Unlike the doom and gloom of the past however, dementia is no longer a hopeless disease. Recent research means we now know so much more about the many choices we make that may inadvertently increase our risk of Alzheimer’s. New drugs and other interventions mean that for the majority of our patients we have effective strategies that can prevent, delay or treat dementia so that they can live longer and happier lives.

Risk Factors
For everyone over the age of 40 (and yes, when we talk about brain aging, the downhill slide begins at around 40!), brain health should be front and centre in any discussion regarding longevity. The data is conclusive – a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of dementia. Evidence suggests that up to 45% of dementia cases globally could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 risk factors in our day-to-day lives. The ones we consider most important in our patient population are:

Obesity and diabetes
Alcohol and smoking
High cholesterol and physical inactivity

Prevention
Our family doctors, in response to many of our patients who are concerned about dementia, have developed a patient-centred and personalised approach to brain health. Starting at age 40 for those with a family history, it is never to early to develop a brain health strategy. Identifying and modifying individual risk factors early can lead to a significant increase in our healthy lifespan and the biggest reduction in dementia. The more common examples of evidence-based treatment include:

Losing weight and reversing diabetes with a variety of treatments including GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and other medicines
Psychological therapy and medications to treat addictive behaviours and mood disorders
Physical therapy and exercise, as well as medications that help lower cholesterol

Diagnosis
If you are worried that you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of cognitive decline, consider doing some painless, non-invasive testing to rule out common conditions and address the possibility of dementia. Our top recommendations are:

Blood tests for general health and particular biomarkers linked to other diseases
Gene testing for those with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s disease to screen for the ApoE4 gene (the strongest known genetic risk factor)
MRI brain with AI interpretation. This innovative technology has little or no downsides in checking for dementia and other types of organic brain disease
Plasma proteins related to Alzheimer’s disease (PlasmarkAD). A brand-new alternative to invasive tests like lumbar puncture. This is good for early detection, with an accuracy of above 96%

Treatment
In many cases, we can hope for an illness or reversible condition that can be treated directly, such as chronic infection or vitamin deficiency. However some cases are not so clear cut and we also recommend cognitive performance testing by our neuropsychologist, Dr Maria Rahder or referral to local neurologists if appropriate. For those who are diagnosed with dementia, treatments which slow the progression can be started right away. Today the benefits of a diagnosis (especially an early diagnosis) far outweigh the costs, don’t hesitate to speak with your GP about this.

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Central Health Updates March 2024

cheditor — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 03:24:02 +0000

Central Health Updates March 2024
Central Health is now live on Instagram, follow us @centralhealth_hk

Advances in health screening.

The Galleri blood test: a revolutionary new multi-cancer early detection test (MCED) or liquid biopsy developed at Oxford university.

The Galleri test is a one-draw blood test that identifies tiny pieces of mutated DNA that have come from fragments of tumour cells anywhere in the body. In Hong Kong this technology is marketed under the trademark Lucence Insight.

Unlike current cancer screening tests, mammograms, pap smears and biomarkers, Lucence detects DNA from 50 different cancers using the same technology. For most of these cancers this is the first time we have had a screening test suitable for early detection.

Lucence cannot, on its own, make a diagnosis of cancer but can identify those who have a significant enough risk of a specific cancer to justify targeted investigations.

Like all screening tests, while providing the benefits and opportunities of early detection and higher cure rates, Lucence also carries some risks and disadvantages.

Whilst Lucence promises to revolutionise cancer management and help save lives it is not a magic bullet nor is suitable for everyone. For example it is expensive so in most cases is unsuitable young people who have no family history or other risk factors for cancer.

Lucence correctly identifies patients with cancer between 50 to 65 % of cases. We anticipate the sensitivity of the test will improve as more research is done. Lucence has a low false positive rate of 2% but that still means that 1/50 patients may go through the worry and expense of investigations in order to show they are cancer free. The stress that this may cause should not be underestimated and should be carefully weighed against the opportunity for early detection. We believe that all patients should be properly counselled around their individual risks and benefits before being tested.

In the UK NHS England is currently collaborating with the company GRAIL, Cancer Research UK, and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trial Unit to conduct a study of the Galleri technology across the UK. The trial aims to recruit 140,000 volunteers aged between 50-77 to evaluate the effectiveness of this blood test in cancer screening. The NHS is limiting the availability of this trial to patients with non specific symptoms of cancer such as fatigue and weight loss in order to determine if the test is cost effective for the NHS.

In private practice we will be offering Lucence to older patients who may be at higher risk of cancer ( including those with nonspecific symptoms ) and younger patients with a family history of certain cancers or a lifestyle that might have increased their cancer risk.

We are currently discussing with insurance companies under what circumstances and for which patients they will cover the cost of Lucence.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lucence test please mention it to your doctor at your next visit or book an appointment with one of our GPs.

Sincerely,
Central Health Team

www.centralhealth.com.hk

Imunis is an innovative service allowing all our patients to receive vaccination records for themselves and their families digitally, and importantly to receive a status and reminders when family members are eligible for vaccination.

Vaccination is arguably more important than ever, as we see vaccine-preventible disease outbreaks at a 30-year high globally, including measles outbreaks & deaths in the UK, USA & Europe.

Imunis is for children and adults – there is an increasing number of vaccines available for adults, and those with unknown/uncertain vaccination history in childhood may be recommended to take certain vaccines as an adult, particularly in times of outbreak.
Imunis also helps our team of health providers at Central Health as it simplifies the way we provide vaccination records to our patients, and makes it easier for us to keep our patients on track.

New Service Announcement
In the coming weeks, Imunis account holders will be able to scan their & their family’s paper vaccination records via the App, which will be digitised and added to their profiles, forming a consolidated, digital vaccination record.

Enrol with Imunis

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Updates from Central Health Jan 2024

chadmin — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 03:29:52 +0000

Dr Holly Lewis has commenced her practice at Central Health, succeeding Dr Lucy Lord in Central Health’s obstetric team. In the UK Holly followed a training pathway which was closely similar to that undertaken by Dr Lord years earlier, at many of the same teaching hospital centres of excellence. She was senior registrar at St Mary’s Hospital in London, home of the famous Lindo Wing, and senior registrar and consultant at the equally renowned Queen Charlotte’s Maternity Hospital.

Her research interest has centred on the management of high-risk pregnancy and prevention of premature labour, for which she was awarded a PhD in 2018. Holly’s personal philosophy is to deliver babies safely with a minimum of drama but maximum support for mothers and other family members.

Whilst Holly’s main focus is obstetrics, her gynaecological interests include, menopause, fertility, contraception/family planning and day case surgery for abnormal bleeding.

Holly has been asked by Hong Kong University and Queen Mary Hospital to work as an assistant professor one morning per week where she will supervise labour ward care and provide research and surgical expertise in the prevention of premature labour. The rest of her time she will be spent working at Central Health and delivering babies at Matilda Hospital. Her clinics in Central Health Duddell Street are Monday and Friday afternoons and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. She will be in Discovery Bay on Wednesday afternoons.

For appointments, please email enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk You can also contact Holly direct by email drlewis@centralhealth.com.hk or her mobile 5423 8024.

Central Health comprehensive maternity packages for delivery at Matilda Hospital.

Matilda International Hospital has a well-deserved reputation for providing the best patient centred maternity care in Hong Kong and has been the first choice for the majority of Central Health’s patients for the last 34 years. Its success is often attributed to its more obvious attractions, quiet location, beautiful rooms, good food, peaceful views, experienced midwives, excellent breast-feeding support and its reputation for empowering a mother’s choice in childbirth.

The Matilda has been Central Health’s first choice of maternity hospital for all of the reasons mentioned above, but much more importantly because our obstetricians, paediatricians and anaesthetists recognise it as being one of the safest maternity hospitals in Hong Kong and one of the few that has the back-up to manage the more challenging emergencies that can complicate even normal pregnancies.

Our soon to retire senior partner, Dr Lucy Lord, has campaigned for over 20 years to ensure that private hospitals who choose to provide maternity care are completely transparent about the level of emergency cover they actually provide. So far only the Matilda provides rostered on site obstetric, anaesthetic and paediatric cover 24/7, along with a supply of rhesus negative blood, a basic standard expected by our international patient community.

At Central Health, we pride ourselves on ensuring that mothers and their partners are fully informed, reassured and supported throughout their birth experience. However even in the best hands, pregnancy and childbirth is not always fully predictable and complications can occur. Our clinic’s extensive experience and close working relationship with the Matilda (34 years and over 10,000 deliveries) means that we are adept at managing complications together. However, these unpredictable complications and emergency procedures can lead to an extended stay in hospital with extra costs.

In the past most of these charges have been covered by insurance. Unfortunately, many insurers are increasingly reluctant to provide maternity cover and many employers have reduced health benefits or moved international employees to local contracts.

Most of our patients without insurance would prefer to deliver with us at Matilda but are understandably concerned about the potential cost implications of rare but expensive emergencies. With all of this in mind, we have created an entirely new, extended maternity package designed around our collective experiences over the last 10 years of rare complications requiring a significantly heightened level of care.

We are pleased to announce that the new package will be available for bookings from 1st of February 2024 until 31st December 2024. It will be available to patients without pre-existing medical or obstetric problems who are planning to deliver in a standard room category. Full detailed terms and conditions as well as costs are available from our midwives, who will be happy to answer any questions. (midwives@centralhealth.com.hk).

If you do have pre-existing medical or obstetric problems, and want to check whether you can still be eligible for the new extended package, please email Julia, our senior nurse, who will discuss your case directly with the Matilda. (julia@centralhealth.com.hk).

Sincerely,
Central Health Team

www.centralhealth.com.hk

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