Physiotherapists in Hong Kong are celebrating a landmark win after the Legislative Council passed the 2025 Supplementary Medical Professions (Amendment) Bill, enabling people to access physiotherapy services without a prior referral in certain circumstances. 香港物理治療學會/Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association (HKPA), backed by World Physiotherapy, has long advocated for this change, calling it a crucial step toward better, faster, and more equitable healthcare access.
Under the revised law, physiotherapists can now provide care to people directly in specified conditions, without the need for an intermediary consultation. Previously, people were required to get a referral from a doctor before receiving physiotherapy, creating delays and added burden on the public healthcare system.
Alexander Woo, HKPA president, praised the Legislative Council’s decision, emphasising that the change reflects international best practice and aligns with the government's aim to strengthen primary healthcare.
He said: “This is a transformative moment for patient care in Hong Kong.”
Sidy Dieye, World Physiotherapy chief executive officer, said: "We congratulate the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association on this important achievement. The passing of the direct access bill is a significant step forward in improving timely, patient-centred care and recognising the vital role physiotherapists play in health systems. We are proud to have supported HKPA in their advocacy journey and commend their dedication and professionalism throughout the process.”
World Physiotherapy provided a strong letter of support for the amendment, highlighting that Hong Kong physiotherapists are already trained to be autonomous, primary-contact practitioners capable of diagnosing and managing care for certain health conditions independently. The letter pointed to global evidence showing that direct access models improve patient outcomes, reduce wait times, and are cost-effective for health systems. Then letter also emphasised that the removal of unnecessary referral barriers would allow Hong Kong physiotherapists to deliver timely care and reduce the risk of conditions becoming chronic.
The amendment is expected to be implemented by the end of 2025. While the change initially applies to specific scenarios, advocacy will continue for broader application of direct access, in line with the model and practice for more than 70% of World Physiotherapy member organisations.
Industry leaders also provided reassurances that the amendment would not affect service fees, ensuring that affordability remains a priority alongside accessibility.
