A TOTAL of 16 medical institutions in Shenzhen are among 140 pilot units in nine designated Guangdong cities to trial an online nursing-service booking program, according to the city’s health commission.

The city is now working on detailed plans for the Internet+ nursing service, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

“Hospitals are urged to put nurses’ information onto their online booking platforms, on which residents can book the service. Later, the municipal health commission will combine the resources for a unified platform,” said Wu Huiping, director with the city’s nurse association.

Regarding the cost of the service, Shenzhen will adopt a price standard that has been set for extended medical consultations via the online booking service, which is 300 yuan (US$43) per session, according to Wu.

Wu said that the online nursing-service booking program mainly includes items like changing dressings, taking out stitches, providing guidance on home care for patients recently discharged from hospitals and services for newborn babies, which all fall under the scope of extended consultations.

The service has not yet been included in the city’s medical insurance.

The Guangdong Provincial Health Commission designated nine cities to pilot the program in March and confirmed the first batch of 43 medical items that will be available through the online service, such as basic nursing services, rehabilitation nursing and childcare.

(Wang Jingli)