Summer Issue, 2013

On Campus 19 stand firmly supporting the Faculty. The Faculty wishes to enhance our mission by extending our network of Affiliate Teaching Hospitals. We are actively contributing to the planning of a redevelopment of Queen Mary Hospital. The staged and graduated operation of the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital is a monumental project and is progressing well. In March this year, we won the bid from the government, with the collaboration of Parkway Pantai Limited and NWS Holdings Limited, to build a 500-bed hospital at the Wong Chuk Hang site. We will have an ultra modern hospital with the best equipment, allowing us to deliver care, to do research, and to provide teaching and training. It lightens the burden of Hong Kong’s overtaxed public healthcare system so that public services can function even better. Here are some of the basic principles of taking up the position of an affiliated teaching hospital. HKU is a publicly funded institution. We should never place the University at any financial risk. HKU-Medicine should have absolute, total, complete control of the clinical governance. The privileging, accreditation and hiring will be done through HKU and monitored by HKU. The plan guarantees quality, affordability, transparency and accessibility of care. And it will add great strength to our team. The Science and Art of Medicine What is the true meaning, what is the purpose of being a doctor? It is not building hospitals. It is caring about the people. Medicine is not just about the hardware and the technology. When all the committees and when all the machines cannot decide on the final question, it is the art of Medicine that will be called in to judge. And the art of Medicine is the understanding of the human being and humanity. And that is why there is joy and elation in Medicine. That is why whenever you walk down Sassoon Road, you will swell up with pride. Epilogue As the story ends, I will bring you back to the Odyssey, the journey, and Ithaca - the metaphorical destination; the home of wisdom and knowledge. Constantine Cavafy: “As you set out for Ithaca hope the journey is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery.” To reflect is also to look forward. To say “Goodbye” is bittersweet. As Shakespeare said, parting is such sweet sorrow. So, goodbye. I am profoundly grateful for the memories. It has been my honour to work with you and work for you. In my life’s journey I am so pleased, proud and privileged that our paths have crossed on Sassoon Road. And Goodness willing, our paths will cross again in days to come. Thank you. “The glories of our blood and state are shadows, not substantial things.” James Shirley “HKU-Shenzhen Hospital is the vanguard of China’s healthcare reform” “The World’s biggest healthcare system goes under the knife” Science 2013