135 years of compassionate care: the legacy of AHNH through the eyes of three generations of staff
Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH), with a history of 135 years, is the first hospital in Hong Kong to provide Western medical treatment for the Chinese population. The hospital, named after three ladies, is one of the hospitals with the longest Chinese name in Hong Kong. Dr Sin Ngai-chuen, Hospital Chief Executive, describes the hospital as ‘the love of three great ladies’. The Alice Memorial Hospital was founded in 1887, with the generous donation from Sir Kai Ho Kai in memory of his wife Alice Walkden. Then, in 1906, Ho Miu Ling Hospital, named after Sir Kai Ho Kai’s sister, was established to meet the rising demand for healthcare services. Meanwhile, Nethersole Hospital, opened in 1893, was named in memory of the mother of Mr H.M. Davis, Chairman of the Medical Mission Committee.
The three hospitals shared the same mission to serve the poor and needy and were later amalgamated as AHNH. In1997, the hospital was relocated from Hong Kong Island to Tai Po to accommodate its expansion, with the continuing mission to serve the community with compassion and love. Here, three generations of AHNHers share their heartwarming stories of colleagues and patients, and the fond memories of the hospital.
Caring colleagues share frontline work
AHNH used to be located in Bonham Road on Hong Kong Island. Due to its limited space, it was temporarily moved to the Eastern District to assist the opening of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, before moving to Tai Po in 1997. Freda Li, Nursing Officer of the Electro-Medical Diagnostic Unit, has been working in the hospital after graduated from the Nethersole School of Nursing in 1987. As it was an apprenticeship education system, classmates and colleagues were as close as family members. “We supported each other at work and in life, we are like brothers and sisters. Hence, I determined to work at Nethersole Hospital after graduation.” she recalls.The close bond among colleagues has remained intact with time. The department Freda working for mainly performs different types of electronic diagnostics for patients, such as electroencephalography. At times of manpower shortages, colleagues in her department take on tasks of other clinical departments, providing immediate care upon patients’ needs during examination and accompanying young patients for examinations. “We understand colleagues are very busy and wish to help reduce their workload in any way we can,” Freda explains. The team will be on standby for deployment to the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, uniting in the fight against the winter surge and the epidemic.
Mutual healing of doctor and patient
Dr Chan Hok-sum, Consultant of Department of Medicine, was the first Chief of Service of the department after its relocation. Among the many patients he has treated, the most memorable one was a pastor, who has been under his care for over 30 years since at the United Christian Hospital. They were good friends because of their religious affiliation, and when Dr Chan seemed overwhelmed during a follow-up consultation, the patient took the initiative to show his concern, praying for him and encouraging him not to worry. “I was so surprised,” Dr Chan says. “I treated his physical sickness, but he comforted my soul with the Bible. We supported each other in different ways and I am so touched.” The compassionate atmosphere at the hospital brought him back to the frontline after his retirement.A hospital full of love and care
Dr Sin Ngai-chuen says when he worked at the hospital in 1999, he already felt that the hospital was very special. Most hospitals do not follow up on patients who repeatedly missed appointments, but AHNH staff would take the initiative to call the patient and ask why they did not attend and rearrange the appointment to ensure they were well cared for, he says. “This is a hospital full of love and care, and we will continue our mission to serve people with compassion and love in the future,” he says, adding that the hospital will add 800 beds and beef up manpower in the Second 10-year Hospital Redevelopment Plan to keep pace with the escalating service demand in the community.
Interview video