Shanghai recently unveiled 22 measures to promote the integration of medical and elderly care to improve the coordination between home-based community facilities and the integration of medical care, nursing care, and rehabilitation services, in a bid to improve the health and elderly care of the aging population.

The policy document, jointly issued by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs, Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and other government agencies on April 30 and unveiled to the public this week, underlines the need to promote the establishment of medical facilities within eldercare institutions, encouraging the establishment of outpatient departments, clinics, medical rooms, health stations, and nursing stations within eldercare institutions, following specific standards and guidelines.

Medical institutions that utilize existing resources to provide elderly care services may, based on the corresponding qualifications and conditions they possess, establish care institutions, and enjoy elderly care institution subsidy policies by relevant regulations, according to the document.

The document urges strengthening collaboration between eldercare and medical institutions, supporting community health service centers to establish service stations and family doctor offices within or adjacent to eldercare institutions to provide embedded medical services, and encouraging different types of healthcare institutions to engage in differentiated contractual cooperation with eldercare institutions to promote the purchase of combined medical and care services.

Efforts should be made to enhance the service capabilities of both medical and eldercare facilities, allow eligible eldercare institutions with medical facilities to provide home visit services, and enhance drug dispensing and usage for common and chronic illnesses, the document said.

It emphasizes the importance of improving policies such as incentives and subsidies for eldercare institutions with medical facilities and support for eligible care institutions with medical facilities to be included in medical insurance networks for equitable benefits and settlements.

The document underscores the role of technology in empowering elderly care services, urging efforts to advance smart medical and elderly care by leveraging health data sharing and promoting the use of electronic health records. It also calls for promoting the integration of online healthcare services with eldercare institutions to provide medical services and consultations efficiently.

The document highlights the importance of comprehensive planning and joint supervision, encouraging comprehensive planning that considers the layout of medical and care facilities in proximity, and strengthening quality management through joint supervision mechanisms and regular administrative inspections to ensure compliance and quality of integrated medical and elderly care services.

The measures demonstrate Shanghai's commitment to advancing the integration of medical and elderly care services, ultimately improving the quality of life for the elderly population in the city.

Source: "shanghaifabu" WeChat account