Enhancing hospital environment for better healthcare
In a career spanning more than 40 years as a surveyor, Wan Man-yee has planned and built countless large public and private housing developments, commercial buildings, places of worship, and cultural and community facilities. Now, after joining the Hospital Authority (HA) Board last year, he hopes to apply his expertise in the enhancement projects of existing medical facilities and new hospital development by providing advice on the use of spaces as well as hardware facilities. “I used to find the greatest satisfaction in building public housing, because I enjoyed creating comfortable homes for people,” he says. “But now I’m looking forward to assisting the HA in creating a comfortable environment for patients’ treatment.”
Getting the design right
Health infrastructures are different from Wan Man-yee’s previous work and there are a number of unique factors to consider, such as pollution control and patient flow. “The poor design of a regular building only affects its profitability and doesn’t usually cause any loss of life, but building a hospital has a much greater impact on people so we must be more careful. The first priority is to consider the user’s feelings. In addition to the needs of patients, I will also seek the advice of healthcare colleagues and ask them to list 10 ‘do’s and don’ts’ to improve user satisfaction,” he reflects, adding that he wants the hospitals to incorporate sustainable elements and hi-tech intelligence to improve life for both staff and patients.
A commitment to support the journey ahead
Outside work, Wan Man-yee is committed to helping young people in need. He set up a youth organisation 30 years ago to provide young people with services including late-night outreach and short-term emergency accommodation. He says his own experience of growing up in a poor family led him to set the non-profit organisation as a strong backup for young people, so that even if they take a wrong turn or get tired, they can come to catch their breath and regain the motivation to carry on.
Wan Man-yee shares that joining the HA, which was also established for 30 years last year, is particularly meaningful to him. “Hospitals are also the backbone of patients, who receive treatment, take a break and keep going with a healthy body,” he says. “This year, in response to the severe epidemic, the HA has introduced a number of measures, from which we can learn and consider which strategies can be applied in the long run to optimise medical treatment.”
In his spare time, Wan Man-yee likes to read, including books on a medical theme to teach himself more about health. He takes a range of nutritional supplements to keep himself healthy and says “in the face of modern diseases, we should nurture a healthy lifestyle and pay more attention to our health.”
Wan Man-yee shares that joining the HA, which was also established for 30 years last year, is particularly meaningful to him. “Hospitals are also the backbone of patients, who receive treatment, take a break and keep going with a healthy body,” he says. “This year, in response to the severe epidemic, the HA has introduced a number of measures, from which we can learn and consider which strategies can be applied in the long run to optimise medical treatment.”
In his spare time, Wan Man-yee likes to read, including books on a medical theme to teach himself more about health. He takes a range of nutritional supplements to keep himself healthy and says “in the face of modern diseases, we should nurture a healthy lifestyle and pay more attention to our health.”
