言談之間，知道不少前線醫生有意參加四川地震救災工作。
醫管局除了派遣一支醫療隊伍前往當地外，對外宣稱會為於當地擔任義工的醫護人員提供假期以及協助。不少前線醫生，連日來已收到志願機構的呼籲，火速成行。可是實際上，醫院的工作模式，令有心出發前往災場的人感到困窘。
作為無需輪更當值的顧問醫生，要安排假期前往災場當然易過借火。我首先要說明，我對這批願意前往災場的資深顧問醫生以及教授，是抱有萬二分的尊敬。但坦白的說，部門的日常臨床運作，並不會因為部門主管又或顧問醫生的短暫離開而有多大影響。因為這些級數層次的醫生，多不用通宵輪班當值，而是負責行政運作、教學又或研究工作。日間醫院人手較為充足，複雜的病症由一些擁有數年年資的醫生，以至高級醫生去應付，就已經綽綽有餘；夜間醫院更不會需要他們留下來當值。所以，這批醫生前往災區一至兩個星期，對醫院的臨床運作影響不大。
可是，前線醫生就不是這樣子。一般來說，前線醫生一個月至少有五至六晚要通宵留在醫院當值，這些較年青的醫生同時要承擔著大量的臨床工作，如住院又或門診病人。不少公立醫院工作的同事都會認同，除非大於過百人的部門（如龍頭又或教學醫院的內科），可以容許只要有一至兩個人突然放假而沒有工作量上重大的改變。可是，大部份部門都只是十多二十人，特別是手術科（如骨科），只要有其中一個人放假，其他同事便會疲於奔命，工作量都已經可以大量增加。所以，就算有很多前線醫生向上級反映要求請假前往災區幫忙，都基於部門人手調配問題而不獲批准。
再加上天災發生於五月頭，五月的更表早已出籠。假設有同事今天就出發，在那兒找同事去頂替餘下三四晚要通宵當值的晚上？六月更是非常難去請假的日子，因為很多醫生合約完結，早已被劃定清假的日子，有心的醫生便更難找到空位「攝」，拿額外的假期去救災。
你可能會說，就由得顧問醫生前往吧，畢竟他們的經驗夠豐富。無錯，但現在的問題是，災難救人是爭分奪秒，災場更沒有任何先進儀器又或複製的藥物，有的只是最基本的配備。這些災難需要的，倒是年青能夠捱更抵夜的身體。老實說，找些剛畢業的醫生甚至是醫學生，其中的機動性可能會更高更強。當然，想年青醫生前往救災，行政上的關是過不了的。
很多年青醫生已經整裝待發，準備好起行，欠的，就是行政部門的批准，以及工作人手的調配。醫管局究竟知道該批年青醫生的熱血心聲嗎？
17個回應
五月 16, 2008 at 9:03 am
真可惜…
因為太多人要幫助了!!
五月 16, 2008 at 10:16 am
醫管局管理能力之低下，世上僅見。
五月 16, 2008 at 2:20 pm
We have different roles.
Perhaps we can line up and follow on the needs in the next 6 months. Money, reconstruction , and rehabilitation, mental and physical………
In the future, for the young doctors who want to help, thank you…., still, in the long run, make up the mind, to treat the majority possible or the rich and famous that can afford you, when you reach the consultant class.
五月 16, 2008 at 8:36 pm
祝福四川同胞．網上傳聖火
[...]以國家的資源與狀況，雖然未算是國難當前，但在救災工程上，我國仍保持於人手挖掘或說低技術的水平，希望政府能允許外國更多的幫助[...]
(Trackback)
五月 16, 2008 at 10:07 pm
醫生,每個人都有自己既崗位呢,雖然唔一定去到四川救人,但香港都一樣有病人。加油!
五月 17, 2008 at 1:29 am
你好~ 第一次留言。
你不說，根本不知道醫院的情況如此。
給行政拖著雙腿，很是無奈。
然而，救人是醫生的職責，哪裏的病人都要努力用心去救呢~
五月 17, 2008 at 5:09 pm
ANDY: 中國內地也有很多醫生的。
HYSTERICIREUL:今次問題不在醫管局總部，而在各醫院各部門的管理職。把一個醫生放了出去救災，其他醫生變相要增加工作量，每個部門主管都會說自己的部門人手短缺，未能再派人手幫助。
某醫院的急症室剛讓一名年青醫生前往救災，該部門最後要動員顧問醫生來當值通宵，可是，又有幾多醫院部門是如此SUPPORTIVE呢？
another doctor: 工作讓人越來越認識到，就算你很想幫助有需要的窮人，把SKILL和knowledge留給未能AFFORD醫療費用的市民大眾，醫管局內的人事政治之複雜，會令人的熱誠慢慢減退
SAMSARA: 這不是一場車禍又或一場意外，而是十年才一遇的大災難。就算上次西貢車禍死十九傷數十人，其實也未完全動員全港所有醫院；但今次災難之大，救人其實爭分奪秒
JOANALIST:歡迎到訪，希望可以見到你更多留言。
五月 18, 2008 at 1:03 pm
doctor fat,
I know very well,the annoying politic and interpersonal/department ‘fight’, ( what QM has shown us is just examplary of the dark side….) being in HA since 1986 (DH it was at that time.)
The bit on the politics taht wash out all the ‘passions’ are very true.
And that is why it makes whoever that persevere in the public or that cares about the majority more ‘heroic’that the one in Sanitarian.
Numerous colleagues have some ’spirit ‘to help, but somehow, they drifted to work for the rich one in Stubbs road, the same reason were give, that they eigther wanted to have better care for his patient, or they would like to study the bible and spend more time with the family.
We all know in the private we work 12 horus a day, hardly sees the family ….
I hope your passion remains and the fire will keep burning, as we need good doctors when we/I get old….
五月 19, 2008 at 12:38 am
我剛剛畢業﹐剛從雲南背囊行回來﹐還未有工作時間多得很﹐很想很想去幫忙﹐可我不是甚麼專科﹐在美國接受的是寵壞了的醫療訓練﹐最好的藥物器材甚麼都不缺﹐到了災區也不知道能幫上甚麼忙﹐也不知道人家會不會嫌我沒經驗“阻住地球轉“。可我已經把我的資料發給msi professional﹐希望能選上我去幫幫忙﹐去挖挖土也好。
五月 19, 2008 at 10:35 am
good on you, overseas med student.
What is medicine? what does US medical system tell us/you? Moore’s film says most of bthe drawbacks.
you don’t need high tech , you need passion and sincerity, we look ar premeir Wen,if we can’t do anything else, learn from his eye contact, his body langauge and his speeches.
I taught psychology at U, he gave us an excellent demo, a very powerful medicine by itself.
五月 19, 2008 at 2:56 pm
It makes me so angry that those senior staff of your descriptions (e.g. consultant level) are fighting their arse off to go to Sichuan, but not to offer their help but only to put a halo above their pathetic tiny little head, their priority certainly isn’t on helping out, they just want the credits for themselves! Many of them know damn well that they are old and simply can’t handle all that rushing around and physical work…. pisses me right off these so-called senior doctors……
五月 19, 2008 at 9:22 pm
身為一普通星斗市民，毫無專長，能做到的只是捐出不多的金錢。想不到即使有救人救災的專業資格，亦是有心無力。無奈﹗
五月 19, 2008 at 10:05 pm
ANOTHER DOCTOR: PASSION都要有環境CULTURE才行，我老細講到明「醫生」，就注定要放棄PERSONAL LIFE
OVERSEA MED STUDENT: 我也有將資料SEND給MSI，第一隊已經於星期日出發前往棉陽，第二隊會在十至十四日後出發，你可以與他們保持聯絡。你在那兒畢業呢？我贊同another doctor，醫道之本在於愛與誠，希望你不要那麼學我冷卻下來。
julie:拍掌認同
U: 不要如此，你可以作的其實比我們更加多。「專長」此時此刻，倒成了我們的限制。
五月 20, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Doctor fat, if you did go to Sichuen, take care .
I admire volunteers, it is dangerous. Several good doctors did what they preached, Au Yiu Kai, Joyce Tang Wong Wai all spent months in Africa. Some honour to know them.
We can all contribute in our own way.
Overseas med student: I graduated overseas as well, white man professors mostly are proud of western acheivement, and we easily, may be heartily, has to agree with them. It had to be, when we were students , at that high tech environment.
As I grow, I learn , to build a good system is not easy, criticise is easy, work on something constructively is not easy, quit is easy, persevere is not easy….
五月 22, 2008 at 4:11 am
I got a reply from msi today that said they need volunteers for long term follow up, and if I can’t wait I can contact other organizations. I also left my contact numbers to Red Cross few days ago, but no one call me back…
I saw it on the news there are still great needs for doctors and medical professionals. It was especially heartbreaking when I saw the guy that was buried under the rubbles for 73 hours and died once he was rescued… I just don’t know why there’s no ambulance and doctors stand by to save him?! I don’t know what I am waiting for when people are needing help.
Dr. Fat: I graduated from the US with a master degree in medical science (Doctors in the US are doctoral degrees). But HK system isn’t very compatible with the American system…so I can practice in the US but not in HK…Sigh…
Another doctor: thanks for your advice~~ I do like the high tech and their western acheivement …heartily~ hehee~ so I guess I am still a student. But I am so spoiled that I would wonder what should I do without all the extensive equipments. You are right, touching people’s soul is very important in healing, and sometimes modern medicine draw us closer to the disease, but away from the person.
五月 22, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Overseas med student,
I was like you,young and impressd by the wonders of modern medicine, think that I was so good that the only way out is way up, and helped out in many breakthrough operations before, ( how many heart transplant have you seen? )
we have patient who were congressman, ambassaders, wealthy men….
I look back, the same question, what is medicine, in essence , what is your medicine??
Learn some good skills and have strong knowledge, get your license.
The big professors in Harvard, would only look after the one who can afford him at MGH.
Was he respected in Harlam?
五月 22, 2008 at 1:12 pm
One more note, Overseas med student:
have a look at ifeng.com the rescue effort of Chan Kin or alike, is recorded by video, is the best under that circumstances. They had to move the patient with stretchers over the hills for 3-4 hours in total darkness….
In BBC site, Reynolds china, he described another scene , where a rescue team was digging, another rescue team would standby as , people have make the way open for the strecther to run to the ambulance. Have a look.