Taicang's health care sector carried out a series of novelty services in 2015, the last year of the 12th Five-Year Plan.

Family doctor service provided to citizens

A special leadership was formed within the city's health and family planning commission to coordinate and oversee the service's implementation. A network was established among local health care authorities.

The family doctor service covered 40 percent of local communities. The coverage is expected to reach 80 percent in 2016.

Alipay introduced as payment solution

The No. 1 People's Hospital in Taicang began a partnership with Alipay in the second half of 2015.

Through this payment service, patients are able to use a mobile phone application to register, search for results of examinations, and recharge accounts.

More than 20,000 citizens have signed up for this service, which helped reduce queuing time and thus improved patient experience at the hospital.

In-patient management unit established

The No.1 People's Hospital created an in-patient management unit in September 2015. The unit's office is placed on the ground floor with lounge chairs and green plants. The walls are painted light purple to ease the patients' nerves.

Applications for hospital beds are sent to the unit by doctors online. And the unit makes arrangements based on integrated information.

Registration by phone call

Taicang's hospital of Chinese medicine opened registration by phone call service. Citizens are required to give real names and cellphone numbers when registering.

Extending service time

Registration for the radiological department and B ultrasonic service started 30 minutes earlier. The dispensaries and service window for examinations opened 15 minutes earlier. The dispensaries also closed 30 minutes later.

The radiological department implemented flexible shifts to offer convenience to patients.

Integrating departments

The hospital of Chinese medicine integrated an encephalopathy division, a rehabilitation department and a neurosurgery department in April 2015 to tap both traditional Chinese medicine and modern technology for patients' rehabilitation.

Editedy by Peter Nordlinger