The authors are to be commended for compiling this book about their concepts and suggestions of community care in Hong Kong. Whilst the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, through its outpatient clinics and hospitals, tries its best to provide high quality medical care for our patients, the Authority also puts a great emphasis on rehabilitating and convalescent care. However, all the above-mentioned efforts will not be adequate without the community itself being involved in the process, including self management by the patients.

In this well-researched and comprehensive book, which purpose is “to share experiences and ideas, and provide examples of community care in Hong Kong for healthcare professionals and community service providers”, there are abundant and useful data for any readers interested in this field. The content is divided into three sections, including a section on present and future roles of community care, a section on practice-research and future implications for health care, and a section on future directions in community care. It ranks as one of the top publications, with local relevance, on the subject. It provides very interesting reading for all healthcare providers. I am sure its publication will arouse a great deal of response and debate from healthcare providers, patients, patient support groups, social workers, legislators, and relevant government officials.

Professor John C. Y. LEONG, SBS, OBE, JP
Chairman, Hong Kong Hospital Authority