Kowloon West Cluster (KWC)
The Kowloon West Cluster (KWC) serves an estimated population of 1.9 million covering the districts of Wong Tai Sin, Mongkok, Shamshuipo, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan and Tung Chung. The Cluster comprised seven hospitals and 23 general out-patient clinics.
The seven hospitals include Caritas Medical Centre (CMC), Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH), Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH), Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital (OLMH), Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) and Yan Chai Hospital (YCH). It provides a comprehensive range of services including in-patient, day patient, out-patient, Accident & Emergency as well as general, specialist, allied health, rehabilitation and convalescent services.
Key Achievements
To address growing demand, the Cluster expanded its service capacity in a number of specialties in order to shorten patients’ waiting time. Enhancing the Ear, Nose and Throat service, setting up a Total Joint Replacement Centre at YCH, and increasing quota for hospital and home haemodialysis service shortened patients’ waiting time for surgery and rehabilitation, as well as benefitting more end-stage renal failure patients.
A new CT scanning service at OLMH started in February 2012, coupled with a public-private interface programme jointly run by the hospital and its parent board, improved access to diagnostic radiology service for residents of Wong Tai Sin district.
Planned to commence service in 2013, North Lantau Hospital will become the eighth hospital of KWC. A commissioning team was set up in 2011-12 to plan for service commencement.
KWC had implemented a number of service programmes to keep patients well in the community. A cross-sector multi-disciplinary integrated care model was introduced to lessen the dependency of high risk elderly patients on in-patient hospital services, and to better support their care in the community. The Community Geriatrics Assessment Service was also enhanced to provide full coverage to residential care homes for the elderly in Wong Tai Sin district. In addition, a comprehensive range of mental health programmes were launched to cater to the needs of patients in different age groups.
The Cluster has adopted advanced diagnostic technology through evidence-based treatment protocols. These included autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplant, and enhanced laboratory support for management of hepatitis B and diabetes. In addition, filmless imaging service was implemented in KWH. Similar service will be rolled out to CMC and YCH in 2012-13 onwards.
Throughout the year, the Cluster endeavoured to promote quality culture by implementing various patient safety initiatives. In order to mitigate risks, the re-use of class II critical (moderate to high risk) single use devices was phased out. Besides, YCH and CMC have extended pharmacy service hours to 11:00 pm to enhance drug dispensing service. Pharmacist coverage at general out-patient clinics in KWC was also strengthened.
To upkeep with international standards, OLMH would pursue gap analysis by external surveyors in 2012 as a preparation for hospital accreditation by the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards.
People First culture says it all. KWC implemented a series of professional development and career progression programmes in 2011-12 to maintain, motivate and retain a team of dedicated and highly skilled workforce. These programmes included on-the-job training and better promotion opportunities with new posts of nurse consultant and advanced practice nurse. The School of General Nursing at CMC continued to offer three-year higher diploma programme in nursing. Simulation training on patient assessment and management of medical emergencies for both doctors and nurses of various specialties were rolled out at PMH.