Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Enhancing Partnership with Patients and Community (Projects initiated to engage patients / carers / community to improve efficiency / quality of care)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service III (Projects aiming at quality service to patients and their carers)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Kam KW(1), Chan WT(1); Lau OY(1); Kung KM(1); Cheng SM(1); Au Yeung TL(1); Cheng YS(1); Wong YM(1), Lau CC(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Patient Resources Centres, NTWC
(2) M&G, TMH
Introduction :
The shortage of manpower in hospitals could result in compromised patient care and overwhelmed medical staff. In view of this challenge, the Patient Resources Centres (PRC) of NTWC has organized an enhanced Youth Volunteer Scheme with a view to improving patient experience, as well as providing opportunities for career development in public hospitals.
Objectives :
1.Support patient care and enhance hospital operations so as to improve patient experience;
2.Create a pipeline for future healthcare professionals by inspiring youth volunteers to pursue careers in public hospitals
Methodology :
Several key components have been conducted to ensure the successful implementation of the scheme. Firstly, effort has been made to build partnerships with education institutions and youth community organizations to ensure a steady supply of volunteers.
Secondly, working collaboratively with representatives from different hospital departments (e.g. doctor, nurse, allied health, etc.) to develop a comprehensive training program to educate youth volunteers on hospital services. The scheme emphasises offering youth opportunity of participating in the healthcare system, fostering their interest in healthcare careers and nurturing a sense of social responsibility.
Thirdly, communication with different hospitals department on their specific needs (e.g. promoting HA Go and other SMART initiatives) and challenges in order to map out a systematic deployment and performance monitoring strategy to optimize the utilisation of youth volunteers’ power.
Survey and focus group would be conducted with hospital departments involved, youth participants and patients.
Result & Outcome :
The youth volunteer scheme has been conducted from April to December 2023. During the said period, over 50 secondary schools in NTWC, 10 tertiary institutes and 30 youth service centres were engaged with 200 volunteers were eventually recruited after selection panels. During this service period, volunteers were allocated to different departments / sites, such as wards, SOPCs, GOPCs, allied health departments and other non-patient areas contributing to more than 7000 volunteer service hours and supported more than 20,000 patients / carers. The scheme has received very positive feedbacks from hospital departments, youth participants and patients. Moreover, over 90% of youth volunteers showed interest to join HA after graduation while some of them joined NTWC hospitals after the scheme. Meanwhile, some tertiary institutes have also invited Humans Resource Division of NTWC for delivering carer talks / workshops to their students as well as approached PRC for collaboration on organising similar youth volunteer scheme in the next financial year.
