Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Husni Jamal, President of Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM), and I were invited to present on how our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes in our localities have evolved over the years. Our presentations were delivered during the International College Case Study session in the afternoon on 24 October 2019. And the host of the session was our dear friend, Dr. Mark Miller, former RACGP Censor-in-Chief. My given topic was, “The CPD programme in Hong Kong and its contribution to a ‘Healthy GP’ and ‘Healthy Patient’”, while that of Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Husni Jamal was, “The role of Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM) in the enhancement of primary care in Malaysia”. Hong Kong and Malaysia have our similarities and differences in terms of demographics trends, disease patterns, family doctors’ training, assessment and funding systems. But we both face a tremendous amount of increase in healthcare burden due to ageing populations and increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in our communities. Therefore, we can learn from each other and reflect on different models of care being delivered in our two localities. After the presentation, I attended the National Awards Ceremony and witnessed Dr. Mark Miller being awarded the Rose Hunt Award 2019. The Rose-Hunt Award is the highest accolade awarded by the RACGP and is awarded to a Fellow or a member of the RACGP who has rendered outstanding service in the promotion of the objectives of the RACGP, either by individual patient care, organisation, education, research or any other means. Many congratulations to Dr. Mark Miller! Previous Award recipients include Professor Michael Kidd, Professor John Murtagh, Associate Professor Morton Rawlin, Dr. Neil Spike, Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Jane, Dr. Wesley (Wes) Fabb, and Dr. David Game, just to list a few of our familiar names. 

Our Conjoint OSCE took place on 27 October 2019 at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our examiners for their dedications and contributions in the preparation and execution of the examination and to our secretariat for their great efforts in keeping the OSCE running smoothly on that day. Of course, all of these would not have been made possible without the continuing support by the RACGP and the great leadership of our Board of Conjoint Examination Chairman, Dr. Chan Hung Chiu Peter. I would also like to wish all the candidates the best of luck and every success in the examination.

The bright sky, the earlier sunsets, the dry air and the slight temperature drop give us a hint that autumn is here. Besides being the best time for hiking, picnic and barbecue, it is also a good time to get prepared for the winter influenza season. Influenza can potentially give rise to serious complications. For better personal protection from the seasonal influenza, the public should receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner. The Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) and Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) 2019/20 have been launched on 9 October 2019 and 23 October 2019 respectively. The Government continues to provide subsidised or free seasonal influenza vaccinations and pneumococcal vaccinations to eligible Hong Kong residents. As the first point of contact for the patients in the community, family doctors are well placed to provide the seasonal influenza vaccinations. So, please keep it up!

Dr. David V K CHAO