09 | 2025

Fun facts of public hospitals

1. How many hospitals have custodial wards?

There are two custodial wards in Hong Kong, one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) while the other one at Queen Mary Hospital. The QEH custodial ward, established in 1992, is the only custodial ward eligible for both male and female inmates’ admission.

There are two custodial wards in Hong Kong, one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) while the other one at Queen Mary Hospital. The QEH custodial ward, established in 1992, is the only custodial ward eligible for both male and female inmates’ admission.

2. A date with Dracula in hospital

Located at G/F, Block A, Nursing Quarter, Queen Mary Hospital, the ‘Reminiscence Corner’ displays a collection of medical instruments and nurse uniforms of different eras. This ‘Dracula cape’ is not a Halloween costume but a tippet for nursing staff in winter in the old days.

Located at G/F, Block A, Nursing Quarter, Queen Mary Hospital, the ‘Reminiscence Corner’ displays a collection of medical instruments and nurse uniforms of different eras. This ‘Dracula cape’ is not a Halloween costume but a tippet for nursing staff in winter in the old days.

3. Was there a Haw Par Hospital in the past?

Back in 1932, tuberculosis raged in Hong Kong. With the donation from businessmen Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, St. John Ambulance Association Haw Par Hospital was built. The hospital is currently known as St. John Hospital, yet the name ‘Haw Par Hospital’ remains visible at its entrance. Owing to the landform in Cheung Chau, ‘village vehicles’ are available for the provision of non-emergency transfer service.

Back in 1932, tuberculosis raged in Hong Kong. With the donation from businessmen Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, St. John Ambulance Association Haw Par Hospital was built. The hospital is currently known as St. John Hospital, yet the name ‘Haw Par Hospital’ remains visible at its entrance. Owing to the landform in Cheung Chau, ‘village vehicles’ are available for the provision of non-emergency transfer service.

4. Are there Qing Dynasty plaques in hospital collection?

With a history of 150 years, Tung Wah Hospital is a museum of historical treasures. Li Shiu Chung Memorial Building, which is a grade one historic building with six storeys in the hospital, is decorated with huge plagues on each floor. Some century-old plagues can even be dated back to the reign of the Guangxu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

With a history of 150 years, Tung Wah Hospital is a museum of historical treasures. Li Shiu Chung Memorial Building, which is a grade one historic building with six storeys in the hospital, is decorated with huge plagues on each floor. Some century-old plagues can even be dated back to the reign of the Guangxu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

5. Was an operation named after Hong Kong?

In 1955, Dr A.R. Hodgson, Professor of Department of Surgery of the University of Hong Kong, performed the ‘anterior spinal fusion’ to treat spinal tuberculosis with the assistance of Sister Mary Gabriel O’Mahony, a physician from Ruttonjee Sanatorium. The treatment method earned the reputation in the West, and was named the ‘Hong Kong Operation’.

In 1955, Dr A.R. Hodgson, Professor of Department of Surgery of the University of Hong Kong, performed the ‘anterior spinal fusion’ to treat spinal tuberculosis with the assistance of Sister Mary Gabriel O’Mahony, a physician from Ruttonjee Sanatorium. The treatment method earned the reputation in the West, and was named the ‘Hong Kong Operation’.

6. A farewell to CRT monitors

The operating theatre at the Cardiac Intervention Centre of Princess Margaret Hospital has undergone tremendous changes over the years. With the advancement of technology, the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors have been replaced by LCD monitors to provide sharper and more accurate operative images.

The operating theatre at the Cardiac Intervention Centre of Princess Margaret Hospital has undergone tremendous changes over the years. With the advancement of technology, the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors have been replaced by LCD monitors to provide sharper and more accurate operative images.
Present
The operating theatre at the Cardiac Intervention Centre of Princess Margaret Hospital has undergone tremendous changes over the years. With the advancement of technology, the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors have been replaced by LCD monitors to provide sharper and more accurate operative images.
Past

7. Where are the largest and smallest public hospitals in Hong Kong?

Both hospitals are located in Sha Tin District! Prince of Wales Hospital, with an area of more than 250,000 square meters, is the largest hospital in Hong Kong, while Bradbury Hospice covering only 2,800 square meters is the smallest one.

With a history of 150 years, Tung Wah Hospital is a museum of historical treasures. Li Shiu Chung Memorial Building, which is a grade one historic building with six storeys in the hospital, is decorated with huge plagues on each floor. Some century-old plagues can even be dated back to the reign of the Guangxu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.