The generous support of Corporate and Individuals enabled the House of the Heart (HOH) to move the House of the Heart to 122 Pokfulam Road from where the parents can walk to the ward the Peadiatric Cardiac Unit of Queen Mary Hospital for their hospitalized children within a few minutes.

HOH offers a place for parents, whose children are undergoing treatment and surgeries in the hospital, to freshen up, take a shower or just a time out to relax while they can spend most of their time and effort on their sick children. It reduces their anxiety on transport arrangements, or on time. House of the Heart is equipped with all basic facilities in a home-like environment. There are bathrooms, a pantry, a sitting room and bedrooms.

The CHF initiated the service of HOH to support parents of hospitalized children in 2002 at firstly at the Grantham Hospital. In 2003, CHF extended this hostel service to patients at the Pediatric Unit at Queen Mary's Hospital (QMH) and, on referral, to the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital (DK).

About the HOH


a)Operation of HOH

To ensure comprehensive support for parents, 3 caretakers are employed to provide support to the residents 24-hours a day, seven days a week including Sunday and public holiday.

The House of the Heart aims to provide a home-like environment where the parents of the hospitalized children feel comfortable. There are 4 bed rooms, 1kitchen, 1 sitting room and 2 washrooms accommodating 10 people at one time.

	A common room where parents meet and share experience and problems.		The kitchen allows parents to prepare food for their children and themselves.		The bedrooms ensure privacy and space for the parents.

Other facilities:

- Audio and Video equipment: TV set, video-tape player, CDR player, a piano and Hi-Fi.

- Basic home appliances: refrigerator, micro wave oven, electronic cooking range, washing machine, drying machine.

- Information corner in sitting room providing various books, publications and video tapes on congenital heart disease, children's heart health and children's nurturing.

- A massage chair and gym bike for relaxation.

- Reception & Information: where the CHF Social Welfare Officers and caretakers station. Parents who need information and help may contact them there.

Value to Parents

The majority occupants of HOH are residents of Hong Kong. Recently, there is an increasing demand from people from the Mainland or outside Hong Kong. In 2007, about one fourth were Mainlanders or other non-Hong Kong residents.

Usage of HOH

HOH is not just a home-like environment for the parents, it is also a place for the parents to share and express their feelings. It helps to alleviate the physical and psychological stress level of the parents and provides an important focal point for parents with similar situations and concerns where they could support each other. It is also a meeting place for discharged patients and parents to meet and greet others from time to time. With a Social Work Officer stationed at the HOH, CHF provides counseling and advice to the parents which may relieve some of the workload from the nursing or ward staff. With eight years of hard work, the CHF has gained the trust and support from the parents and children.

Over the years, over 1000 people have used the HOH and the accumulated resident days have been over 6,000. On average, parents spend almost a week in the HOH in order to look after their hospitalized children.

Accumulative Usages of HOH

Financial Situation

CHF charges is a small fee for the HOH service. For HK Residents cum members of CHF, the fee is HK$50 per night while Non-HK Residents or non-members are charged HK$100 per night.

Although there is income from the service charge, the CHF heavily subsidizes the HOH. The chart below is a summary of the income and expenditure of HOH.

Yearly Income & Expenditure of HOH

*Remarks: The Grantham Hospital waives the rent for the flat.

Recent Update

2008 April

To ensure comprehensive support for parents, the HOH had extended its hours of operation from 24 hours a day, six days a week to seven days a week including Sunday and public holiday. We hope that this will enhance our services for families in need.