Wuhan intl healthcare receives thumbs up from expat

Ashley Penn consults a doctor at the auto valley branch of Union Hospital, affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Tongji Medical College. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

On March 15, Ashley Penn, a New Zealand teacher at Wuhan Yangtze International School, in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ), sought treatment at the international outpatient department of the auto valley branch of Union Hospital, which is affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Tongji Medical College.

"I didn't expect that seeking medical treatment in Wuhan would be even more convenient than in my own country," Penn said. Guided by the staff members at the international outpatient department, he completed a series of examinations in less than half an hour.

According to him, in New Zealand, the urban population is generally small, and the scale of hospitals is not large. When feeling unwell, he would first have to find a family doctor, then call the hospital to make an appointment for an examination, with waiting times ranging from one to two weeks.

The international outpatient department of the auto valley branch of Union Hospital, affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Tongji Medical College. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

Since 2012, the auto valley branch has borrowed from the international model of family doctor services, established an international outpatient clinical process, and created health records for foreign nationals. At the same time, the branch's international outpatient department has set up English, French, and Japanese consultation rooms.

Foreign nationals receive initial consultations at the international outpatient department according to their scheduled appointment times, and are then accompanied by medical staff members to their corresponding examination departments and specialty clinics for further examinations and treatment.

To date, the department has established personal health records for thousands of expats who work in Wuhan, and has also served foreign nationals from consulates in the city.