From the editor

While it won’t ever replace the compassion and skills of a medical team, information technology (IT) is playing an ever important role in modern healthcare systems. In the cover story, we follow one patient’s journey from hospital admission to discharge to highlight some of the many ways in which IT is assisting to improve patient care.

Our frontline colleagues regularly go above and beyond the call of duty in caring for the public – in some cases, even going so far as to risk their own lives. Such was a recent case at North District Hospital when a nursing officer, despite the extreme peril, helped to subdue a suspect who was attempting to snatch a police firearm. This act of courage and selflessness, along with those of several other HA heroes, are highlighted on feature column. If you spot any of these brave colleagues, be sure to give them a salute and a hearty round of applause!

Winter chills are on the way and, with them, the peak of the influenza season. Members of the public, particularly those in vulnerable groups such as elderly people and children, are advised to have a flu shot to protect themselves and others from infection. Members of HA staff can read the article in the staff corner to learn more about HA’s free vaccination programme.