New Chairman steers a course towards common goals

HA Chairman Henry Fan has set out a vision for sustainable development as he gets to grips with his new position on 1 December last year. Facing the challenges brought by ageing population, he will formulate a development strategy to let employees see hope and good prospect.

All set before taking office

Right after Government’s announcement of appointing the new HA Chairman, Henry spent two months before he took office visiting all public hospitals, talking to frontline employees and finding out how hospitals work and the pressures they deal with. “Public healthcare isn’t my area of expertise, so I have to make an extra effort,” he explains. “Apart from different hospital departments, I also visited the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, two laundries, and two central kitchens.”

Reflecting on what he witnessed, Henry paid tribute to the dedication and professionalism of employees, particularly impressed by the introduction of advanced technology in service improvements, ward decorations, and various patient activities. Yet he acknowledged there are significant issues to confront. “I can see staff are doing their best, but the additional burden brought by an ageing population is worrying,” he says. “As management, it is our responsibility to formulate a sustainable development strategy and model to map out career paths for employees, so they feel their work pays off and see hope and good prospect.”

Charting a new direction in three key areas

To work towards this objective and rise to long-term challenges of public health provision in Hong Kong, a Sustainability Task Force was set up in HA on 19 December last year. Henry points out that 40% of healthcare staff in Hong Kong are caring for 90% of the city’s patients. “We cannot solely rely on healthcare staff to cope with the issues created by ageing population – we need a sustainable development model,” he argues. Sustainable development, Henry explains, refers to a period of 10, 20, or 30 years or longer. “We cannot just introduce policies considering issues in the present context,” he says. “We need a longer-term perspective.”

The task force will investigate strategies to retain talent, manage the waiting time for specialist out-patient clinic appointments, and set up smart hospitals. It will not take any particular stance but will examine available data and gather thoughts in formulating direction, Henry stresses. In talent retention, for instance, personal perspectives will be taken into account other than promotion, training, rehiring, and retirement prospects. “The current rehiring period on annual basis which induced uncertainty to staff should be extended. We should also advance the engagement with employees on the rehiring period and work arrangements,” he says. “Employees will then have more time to prepare for their next stage of life, only so will they feel respected and have better morale.”

After formulating proposals, the task force will consult stakeholders including the Government, employees, and patient groups to seek consensus, resources, and support for implementation.

Profile of Henry Fan

1948: Born in Shanghai, Henry Fan moved to Hong Kong with his mother at the age of four and lived in Kowloon City. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor degree in business and economics.

Professional qualification

• Called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn, England in 1982
• Called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 1983
• Practised as Barrister-At-Law in Hong Kong between 1985 and 1987
• Admitted to The State Bar of California in 2001

Past official position

• Member of the Hospital Authority Board
• Member of the Hospital Governing Committee, Kwai Chung Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital
• Non-official member of the Executive Council
• Chairman of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority
• Chairman of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service
• Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Admission of Quality Migrants and Professionals

Current official position

• Member of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development
• Member of the Financial Services Development Council
• Member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board