Professor Leong addresses senior executives during an introductory session at HA Head Office.
John Leong Chi-yan: Three major missions target one common goal
On 1 December, Professor John Leong Chi-yan officially succeeded the Chairman of Hospital Authority. Despite taking up his new position on a Sunday, Professor Leong was happy to make an immediate start by paying a visit to North Lantau Hospital to have an update on its operations. On his first official day at work, Professor Leong held a gathering with senior executives at HA Head Office. He also made time for interview with HASLink and HA Channel, during which he shared his future plans, ambitions and expectations for HA.
“I have set myself three major missions for my two-year term: Ensure our hospitals provide world-class medical services, train young doctors to international standards, and provide a congenial environment for research and innovation,” he says.
“We will keep what is good and work hard to improve what is not so good,” he explains, adding that he hopes HA staff will always put patients first and continue to strive for service excellence.
Professor Leong favours a low-profile approach and his management style is pragmatic. “I try to avoid unnecessary administrative procedures. I’d rather discuss my views and ideas in a casual setting, and work with my colleagues to gain their support before making major decisions,” he explains. “Getting everyone to buy into an action at the start makes implementation easier.” He adds that clear assignment of roles and responsibilities among colleagues is another vital step in ensuring everything moves ahead smoothly.
He recognises that social change is placing growing pressure on many colleagues – not least due to the rising expectations of patients and their families. He notes that many individuals now have their own ideas and opinions on diagnosis and treatment by searching information through internet before go to see the doctor. “There are growing demands on HA and its staff, but patient perceptions are very important. We must look at our operations from their perspective and identify the best way to deal with hot-button issues such as waiting times and resource allocation,” he says.
“Hong Kong’s healthcare service is widely admired around the world, but there is always room for improvement and we should never stand still,” Professor Leong continues. “For example, we should look to strengthen our rehabilitation services and further enhance our cooperation with private-sector institutions.”
Professor Leong’s association with HA stretches back almost four decades and he is well acquainted with its operations. An internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeon and scholar, he has worked at the University of Hong Kong’s Queen Mary Hospital for 38 years, and had become the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He has also been Chairman of the Hospital Governing Committee (HGC) at Castle Peak Hospital and a member of the HGC at Ruttonjee Hospital.
In the shorter term, Professor Leong plans to visit various HA hospitals across Hong Kong to learn more about the concerns of colleagues and gather their ideas for successfully moving the Authority forward.
 Chairman talked with HASLink and HA Channel on his first official day at work. |
 Professor Leong (second from left) spent his first day – a Sunday – as Chairman visiting North Lantau Hospital. |
