NDH grows together with the community
"You must truly love this job to persevere for so long." Looking back on her career as she receives her 40-year Long Service Award this year, Advanced Practice Nurse Tang Wai-fong at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of North District Hospital (NDH), realises just how strong her passion is. Despite having risen to a management role, Tang finds the greatest fulfilment in the most fundamental aspects of nursing care. "Helping patients who cannot care for themselves to eat or bathe, and seeing them smile again – that is what brings me the most satisfaction." This original intention of helping others is exactly why she has remained dedicated to her post for four decades.
In 1998, with the completion of NDH and the transition of services from Fanling Hospital, Tang was transferred to the NDH A&E Department to ensure a seamless transition between the two A&E departments. She remembers that day vividly, "at exactly 8am on 6 August, the Fanling Hospital A&E ceased operations, and the NDH A&E opened simultaneously. Our entire team was on high alert." Tang was the Department Operations Manager at the time. She had to split her team into two under limited manpower and resources to ensure patients at both sites received timely care. Thanks to meticulous planning and extensive publicity, they completed the handover successfully, officially rooting themselves in NDH.
Mobilising community strength
Tang describes the relationship between North District residents and the NDH has always been very close since its opening. Hospital Chief Executive Dr So Wing-yee also points out that the bond between the hospital and the residents is "intertwined and inseparable." This connection was established at the very beginning – the hospital's successful establishment was largely due to the active advocacy of North District residents to the government. Since its founding, the hospital has co-organised nearly a hundred charitable projects and activities with community organisations, benefiting tens of thousands of people. The dedication of community members to the hospital fully demonstrates their collective strength.
Consultant (Medicine) Dr Lam Wai-kei, who has been serving at the NDH for 28 years, says that many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are afraid to travel far or even do housework because they become short of breath easily. To help and encourage patients to regain their rhythm of life, NDH organises an annual pulmonary rehabilitation class outing. A multidisciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists accompanies patients to campsites or museums. These activities bridge the gap between medical staff and patients, allowing staff to better understand the challenges and needs patients face in their daily lives.
"What touches me most is that patients at NDH often express their gratitude for the medical staff. To give back, they actively participate in the hospital's charitable activities after recovery," Dr Lam shares. The North District Hospital Charitable Foundation regularly organises walkathons every year. Patients from the pulmonary rehabilitation class participate enthusiastically, with their oxygen concentrators and ventilators, to support the hospital that has always protected them. "They go through the trouble just to contribute a little effort for the hospital and other patients." This spirit of mutual support and unity between the medical staff and patients is the perfect embodiment of the NDH spirit.
As the NDH expansion project proceeds in full swing, Dr So hopes the hospital can continue its philosophy of "We Serve, We Care, We Create a Happy Hospital" to safeguard the health of every resident in the North District.
Interview video
