About HKSPC

Formation and History of HKSPC

Dr Ng YM
Oct 2009

There were very few trained paediatric cardiologists working in the public sector in the early 1980s. In 1982, after my return from training in Royal Brompton Hospital, London, Dr. Leung Nin Ming and I helped Dr. K C Lau set up a cardiac assessment clinic in the Out-patient clinic of the Grantham Hospital on Tuesday afternoons as visiting cardiologists. Cardiac registrar and trainees from all the paediatric units brought along their cardiac cases and presented the history with chest x-ray and ECG. We made clinical diagnosis and then confirmed it by performing echocardiogram on the patients on the 4/F of the Grantham Hospital. Dr. KC Lau would join us whenever possible. The atmosphere was very harmonious and friendly. This sowed the early seeds of our Society.

Grantham Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital had been leaders in the field of Paediatric Cardiology. In the early years, we gathered at Grantham Hospital for cardiac case conferences. Besides cardiologists of various paediatric units, the meetings were also attended by Dr. Joseph Pan, Dr. Cheung King Loong and Dr. Wai Kei Ho. In-depth discussions and management plans were formatted for patients. This also provided an opportunity for more social interaction among paediatric cardiologists. However, as time progressed, with an increase in clinical duties and the traffic between Kowloon and the island became more congested, we sometimes failed to go to the Grantham Hospital. Dr. K C Lau and Professor Maurice Leung then made a point to rotate the cardiac conference in QEH regularly. This was participated by the new Department of Paediatrics in Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) later in 1980s. In the 1990s, with the establishment of the Hospital Authority, the work schedules were even tighter. Professor Rita Sung and I started our own case conferences, alternating in QEH and PWH, participated by also other departments in Kowloon and the New Territories.

Five years ago, it became increasingly clear that a paediatric cardiology society could have a role in the subspecialty development of cardiology in the Hong Kong College of Paediatricians. Despite being in private practice, Professor Maurice Leung offered his help and Dr Chan Chok Wan his encouragement. We had regular meetings every month in QEH, inviting paediatric cardiologists and trainees to present their cases and we had journal meetings which yielded very fruitful discussions. We applied for CME points. The meetings gave us insights in the establishments of new protocols and guideline supported by paediatric cardiologists, surgeons, anaesthesiologists and radiologists. After two years’ discussion and preparation, we registered in June 2009.


Development of Paediatric Cardiology in Hong Kong

 

Objectives of the Hong Kong Society of Paediatric Cardiology

The objects for which the Society is established are:

  1. To advance the science of cardiovascular diseases in children through educational, scientific, literary and professional activities for the public benefit.
  2. To support research in cardiovascular diseases in children for the public benefit.
  3. To promote good medical practice in cardiovascular diseases in children for improvement or enhancement of public health in Hong Kong SAR.
  4. To promote postgraduate training in cardiovascular medicine in children for the public benefit.
  5. To provide education and consultation in science of cardiovascular diseases in children to the public.