here's a world of difference between looking after your family members and looking after patients, although both require a great deal of tender loving care. Ms Yung Wai-ling used to be a housewife, but she became a health care assistant at Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) in 1995. She couldn't help feeling nervous the first day she walked into YCH, because she had never for a moment envisaged she would eventually become trusted by both her patients and other healthcare workers.

Ms Yung can still vividly remember the difficulties she encountered during the early days. "Working around the clock and caring for total strangers were not things I could get accustomed to easily. It took me quite a long time to get used to the job." Therefore, she frequently reminded herself to be more forgiving, caring, hardworking and understanding, and to work wholeheartedly in order to achieve the best results.

Once, a man was admitted to the hospital after attempting suicide. He wanted to end his life because he had quarrelled with his family. He refused to accept any treatment or talk to the medical staff. When Ms Yung saw this, she offered him a glass of hot milk, and then left him alone.

Another time, Ms Yung offered to give a tub bath to an 85-year-old man who was suffering from acute diarrhoea. Out of embarrassment and concern for his dignity, he turned down her kind offer repeatedly. In fact, he even scolded her, until she invited his wife to be present. Then, Ms Yung gave up her dinner break and rest time to bathe him. But she felt it had all been worthwhile when she noticed the old man sleeping so peacefully that night. Two days later, he passed away. His wife was grief-stricken, yet she was also very grateful to Ms Yung for taking such good care of her dear husband during his hospital stay.

Ms Yung cares about her colleagues too. Many of them enjoy the cakes and dishes she cooks especially for them. They also appreciate her attitude towards her work just as much. She always works with all her heart; her love is boundless when it comes to patient care. So, her team members have every confidence in her, and they are willing to give her extra responsibilities, because they know she will never disappoint them.

Ms Yung is retiring later this year. She is very pleased to receive an Outstanding Staff Award, saying that it is the perfect gift for her retirement. In fact, what she doesn't realise is that she is a perfect gift to her patients and colleagues too, as well as the HA!

Before she retires, Ms Yung (front row, centre) wishes to thank her colleagues for their guidance and tolerance over the years.