The Complete Guide to Neurologists in Hong Kong

Looking for a neurologist in Hong Kong? Healthy Matters brings you an expert, comprehensive guide with all the details you need. 

Methodology: This guide does not aim to be exhaustive. It is informative only and based on our independent research. 

What is a Neurologist?

A neurologist is a medical doctor specializing in the nervous system (central and peripheral nervous system). The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of all the other neural elements such as eyes, ears, skin, and other “sensory receptors”. Note that neurologists do not perform surgery. When one of their patients requires surgery, they refer them to a neurosurgeon.

There are about 126 registered neurologists in Hong Kong, working both in the private and public sectors. You can find the official list of registered neurologists in Hong Kong from the Medical Council here.

Of the 44 public hospitals in Hong Kong, there are 8 Hospital Authority (public) hospitals in Hong Kong that provide neurosurgery. A neurologist in Hong Kong has to be a medical graduate of a 4-year medical school and a fully registered medical practitioner in Hong Kong. 

A neurologist has to complete at least 2 years of postgraduate training in general medicine or paediatrics after internship, and complete a period of at least one year of full-time training in clinical neurology in a recognized neurology centre. 

People that sense a problem with their touch, vision or smell should see a neurologist. A neurologist can conduct tests and exams to assess your brain and nerves. 

Some of the tests and exams that neurologists can do are:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Electromyogram (EMG)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Positron Emission Tomography – Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET-MRI)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Common therapies that neurologists can conduct are:

• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Speech Therapy
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery / Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy

In Hong Kong you can find these 4 radiosurgery/radiotherapy:

• BrainLab Stereotactic Radiosurgery System
• Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
• TomoTherapy®
• X-Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery System

It is recommended to see a neurologist if you are experiencing:

• coordination problems
• muscle weakness
• a change in sensation
• confusion
• dizziness
• seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
• stroke
• multiple sclerosis
• neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis
• infections of the nervous system, including encephalitis, meningitis, or brain abscesses
• neurodegenerative disorders, such as Lou Gehrig’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
• spinal cord disorders, including inflammatory and autoimmune disorders
• headaches, such as cluster headaches, and migraine

In Hong Kong the cost of a consultation with a neurologist in the private sector varies greatly, as for other doctors and specialists. It depends on the location, facilities, and the condition and treatment needed for every patient. Our research shows that the cost of a neurologist consultation in the private sector ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.

In the public sector, costs are as follows:

• For eligible HKID-holders, attending a public specialist clinic costs $135 for the first attendance and $80 for subsequent attendance.
• For non-eligible people, the price of attending a public specialist as an outpatient is $1,190 per attendance.

Beware of waiting times which can be very long in the public sector.

* All amounts are in HKD. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.

To make it easier for you, here is a list of Hong Kong neurologists and specialized clinics.

Neurologists in the public sector:

Here is the list of public centers providing neurology services throughout Hong Kong.

Neurologists in the private sector

You can search for Neurologists according to their locations here.

According to Alea, neurologist consultations are reimbursed under doctor specialist fees. Generally, high-end medical plans will reimburse neurologist consultations in full without any sub-limit whereas local plans usually have doctor specialist limits. 

For any health insurance questions, contact an advisor at Alea at  [email protected].