Ruttonjee Hospital and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital through the years

A magical potion behind the pharmacy

In its early days, the pharmacy at Ruttonjee Hospital (RH) was small with a limited range of medicines aimed mainly at tuberculosis patients. Despite its size, however, it was packed with rare medicines prepared by the pharmacy, which even brewed up the sugar syrup used in the medicines. One unique medicine was Mist Hot Water which consisted of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), table salt, and chloroform, and was a popular remedy used to loosen phlegm. Today, long after the medicine was discontinued, the pharmacy still receives occasional requests for it from elderly patients.

Gracious Sisters

The Ruttonjee Sanatorium is a training ground for medical students of the University of Hong Kong. Dr Jenny Leung recalls that she particularly enjoyed attending classes at the Sanatorium when she was a student, as the sisters taught in a detailed manner, and would kindly prepare refreshments and drinks for the medical students after the lessons. Among them, Sister Mary Aquinas Monaghan and Sister Mary Gabriel O’Mahoney had been serving in Hong Kong for a long time. Sister Mary Aquinas had become the Medical Superintendent of Ruttonjee Sanatorium since its opening for 36 years and she was a dedicated leader in the development of medical science. She published a number of scientific reports on the control of tuberculosis. Sister Mary Gabriel has acted as the Medical Superintendent of Ruttonjee Sanatorium from 1985 to 1988. She was the first ever Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in recognition of her professional contribution. She was prolific in research, publishing widely in many aspects of childhood tuberculosis and asthma, etc.

A vintage mobile x-ray unit

When tuberculosis was widespread in Hong Kong in the 1940s, a mobile x-ray unit travelled around the territory to check the lungs of people living in remote areas. If any cases were detected, patients were taken to the Ruttonjee Sanatorium for immediate treatment.

Emergency training with real-life scenarios

Established in 1994, the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Training Centre at Tang Shiu Kin Hospital is the only emergency simulation training centre under the Hospital Authority. The centre provides training for healthcare professionals in emergency treatment. It later begins providing training courses for other healthcare partners, as well as for social welfare organisations and government departments. The centre covers more than 14,000 square feet and features simulations of incidents including a serious car crash and an accident in a computed tomography room so that trainees can learn how to apply their skills in a range of real-life scenarios.

Racing to the aid of marathon casualties

Every year, runners are injured and sometimes even died tragically during the Hong Kong Marathon. RH is the closest hospital to the finishing line and A&E department and other departments of the hospital are always well prepared for the event with first aid supplies, additional manpower deployment and a triage area for less serious injuries, etc. to provide medical services to the runners.

Interview video