Opening on 1 December (today), the HKMU Physiotherapy Centre will provide a clinical practicum for physiotherapy students at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU). In addition, it will facilitate talent development, community services and knowledge transfer, enabling HKMU staff members and students, and other members of the community to enjoy professional treatment.

The HKMU Physiotherapy Centre will commence operations on 5 December. Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung said at the opening ceremony that he expected the Physiotherapy Centre to provide professional and reliable services for the benefit of the community.

He said, “The University has been planning the set-up of the HKMU Physiotherapy Centre since last year. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the Physiotherapy Centre will provide high-quality clinical treatment with a patient-centered approach. In addition to providing a venue for students to practice, the Centre will serve members of the university and the community to enhance their quality of life.”

President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing said the Physiotherapy Centre will provide a full range of services. Together with traditional physiotherapy services, the Centre will provide customised treatment plans for pregnant and postpartum women, breast cancer patients, and people who have recovered from Covid-19. The Centre is expected to serve about 3,000 people annually.

He emphasised that the University has always attached great importance to providing students with advanced teaching facilities to enable them to be well equipped with knowledge and skills and to effectively put what they have learnt into practice.

Located on the Jockey Club campus, the HKMU Physiotherapy Centre, with support from professional instructors, will provide musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, sports injury physiotherapy, chronic pain management, and specialised rehabilitation services, including pelvic health physiotherapy, management of breast cancer-related lymphoedema, balance and gait training with exoskeletal devices, and clinical Pilates physiotherapy. Post Covid-19 pulmonary rehabilitation physiotherapy, which has received much attention in recent years, will also be provided.

The University earlier set up for its physiotherapy students the following laboratories: the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Laboratory, the Sports Physiotherapy and Biomechanics Laboratory, the Neurological Physiotherapy Laboratory, and the Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Simulation Laboratory. These state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities will also support the services of the newly opened Physiotherapy Centre to create synergy.

In view of the great demand for physiotherapists in Hong Kong, HKMU launched the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy programme in the 2020-2021 academic year. The University's application for professional accreditation from the Hong Kong Physiotherapists Board is in good progress. The first batch of graduates is expected to obtain the relevant accreditation when they graduate in 2024 and be qualified to practise as registered physiotherapists.

For more information about the services provided by the HKMU Physiotherapy Centre, please visit the website at www.hkmu.edu.hk/hkmupc.