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This year’s annual scientific meeting of the Hong Kong Geriatrics Society marks its 25th anniversary.

It is opportune for us to look back upon what has been achieved, as well as to look ahead for challenges and future development.

HKGS was established in 1981. It grew from 19 members at its inception 25 years ago, to 181 this year, 139 of whom are specialists in geriatric medicine.

The Annual Scientific Meeting held on 17 June 2006 started with a Free Paper Session in which 5 original research projects were presented by young geriatricians. It was followed by an Old Age Psychiatry Symposium, covering the 3”D”s commonly encountered in geriatric practice. We were most honoured to have two UK speakers, Professor Roy Jones from Bath, Dr Jim George from Carlisle, and Professor S W Tang from the University of Hong Kong to give us lectures on Dementia, Delirium and Depression.

In the opening speech for the Jubilee Celebration, Dr C H Leong, Chairman of the Elderly Commission of the Government of Hong Kong SAR, acknowledged the contributions made by HKGS to elderly care in Hong Kong. He further expressed his wish to invite more input from our Society’s members in providing views to help shape policies for long term care for older people. Dr Tak-Kwan Kong, the immediate past President of the HKGS, stated the prime goal of the Society is: to relieve ‘dis-ease’ among elderly patients through promoting clinical research, strengthening education, sharing clinical experience, and development of relevant systems of health care for older people. Dr Felix Hon-Wai Chan, the Chairman of the organising committee of the Annual Scientific Meeting and newly elected President of HKGS, presented the future directions for the Society by using the mnemonic “PRAISES”, which stands for Professionalism, Research, Advocacy, Innovation, Special Interest Groups, Evaluation and Synergy. He added PRAISES could also be used in its literal sense to acknowledge the triumphs of our forefathers, mentors and past Presidents.

In the Symposium on Geriatric Medicine: Past, Present and Future, Professor David J Stott from Glasgow, gave us an overview of the development of Geriatric Medicine in the past 50 years and the sub-specialization of Geriatric Medicine in UK in the last decade. Dr H C Tam and Dr Y C Lee, formerly geriatricians in Hong Kong who now work in Australia and New Zealand respectively, shared their past and present experiences in geriatrics practice. They pointed out that, just as in other parts of the world, Hong Kong is at the crossroads in its search for a sustainable and affordable quality health care system to meet the demands of the ever-increasing older population. All our speakers reassured us the future of Geriatrics is bright!

Immediately following our scientific program was the Jubilee Dinner during which a Chinese banquet was served and congratulatory speeches were made by government officials, academics, presidents of colleges and professional societies. A souvenir, a silver goblet, was presented to the HKGS by Dr Iain Lennox, representative of the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow to commemorate the event. This carries a special meaning, for the establishment of Geriatric Medicine in Hong Kong in the 1980s was very much influenced by our early connection with prominent British geriatricians from Glasgow, including Professors Ferguson Anderson, Francis Caird, R D Kennedy and Dr Brian Williams, to name but a few.

While it is encouraging to look back on our past achievements, many challenges are ahead of us, especially in these days of health care reform in Hong Kong. As a Society of doctors promoting the practice and knowledge of Geriatric Medicine, we are bequeathed with the responsibility to look after the aged and infirm, and to promote quality care for older people. Our vigour must go on, not merely to perpetuate the HKGS, but also to promote better care for older people, as well as positive ageing in the community.

Stanley K F Tam
Felix H W Chan