Under the hub-and-spoke model of the public paediatric network, HKCH serves as a tertiary referral centre for complex, serious and uncommon paediatric cases requiring multidisciplinary management; while regional hospitals provide secondary, acute, emergency and community paediatric care. It aims at enhancing the overall service standard by concentrating caseload, expertise and advanced equipment, accumulating clinical experience, fostering sub-specialty development, and aligning treatment protocols. Here is how various HKCH specialties have put the model into practice and extended support to regional hospitals.

Cardiology

• Perform all paeditaric cardiac surgeries, complex cardiac catheter intervention, electrophysiological studies and intervention, mechanical circulatory support and ECMO
• Outreach / joint consultation at UCH, TKOH, KWH, TMH & QMH

Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Paediatric open and closed heart surgeries and thoracic surgeries
• Paediatric ECMO and ventricular assist device

Clinical Genetics Service Unit

• Genetics and genomics medicine services for all ages
• Partnering centre of HK Genome Project

Critical Care Transport

• Transport patients between regional ICUs and HKCH

Endocrinology

• Joint care and empowerment programme for patients with suboptimal diabetes control
• Joint bone clinic in DKCH

Gastroenterology

• Network with regional hospitals for managing inflammatory bowel disease and complex gastrointestinal disorders
• Intestinal failure and advanced nutritional support programme
• Paediatric endoscopy programme

Haematology & Oncology

• Hub for malignant haematological disorders, solid tumors and haematopoietic stem cell transplant
• Outreach to haematology clinics at QMH, PWH, QEH, TMH, KWH & PYNEH

Metabolic Medicine

• Manage patients from territory-wide newborn screening programme for inborn errors of metabolism and other referrals

Neonatology

• Network with regional hospitals in the New Territories and Kowloon (except KWH) to treat neonates with surgical conditions
• Manage neonates identified positive by territory-wide screening programme for IEM and SCID
• Manage neonates requiring subspecialty services centralised at HKCH, and provide multidisciplinary cleft lip / palate programme

Nephrology

• Hub for complicated or chronic kidney diseases, dialysis, kidney transplant and replacement therapy
• Consultation support to regional paediatric units

Neurology

• Manage complex and refractory epilepsy, neuromuscular, neurometabolic, neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders
• Support regional hospitals in cases with diagnostic challenge and requiring specialized treatment

Neurosurgery

• Perform majority of paediatric brain tumour surgeries in HA

Paediatric Surgery

• All paediatric surgery services in the New Territories and most of Kowloon are provided by HKCH team, including 24/7 emergency and trauma operations, elective surgeries, outpatient and inpatient services

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

• Sub-specialty quaternary services (e.g. Oncology, Nephrology, Cardiothoracic Surgery)
• Accept general acute cases to relieve regional PICUs

Rheumatology & Immunology

• Tertiary unit for complex autoimmune and immunodysregulatory conditions
• Co-ordinate territory-wide newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency
• Hub for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for inborn errors of immunity

Allied Health

• Integrated treatment and rehabilitation services for cases concentrated in HKCH

Anaesthesiology

• 24/7 operating theatre service for cases centralised in HKCH
• Sedation for high-risk cases

Pathology

• Unique tests for whole territory (examples here)
• Phenotypic and genetic tests for all paediatric oncology patients and rare inherited diseases
• Platform on fetal pathology for territory-wide maternal-fetal medicine group

Pharmacy

• Central drug depot for paediatric uncommon disorders
• Facilitate introduction of child-friendly formulations in HA

Radiology

• Reciprocal interventional radiology and on-call support with KWH
• Reporting of QEH paediatric MRI and CT sessions

Dentistry & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dermatology

Ophthalmology

Orthopaedic Oncology

Otorhinolaryngology

Palliative Care

Respiratory Medicine