Authors (including presenting author) :
Dr C H LI, Deputy HCE/TMH(1), Ms Mandy MAK, CSC(AH)/NTWC(1), Mr Stephen LAM, CGM(AS)/NTWC(1)(2), Ms Emily CHEUK, SHM(GA&S)/NTWC(2), Ms Trista LI, AHM(GA&S)/TMH(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Cluster Management,(2)Administrative Services
Introduction :
To combat stress and burnout in the high-pressure hospital setting, the "Soil to Table" Gardening Project was introduced, emphasising teamwork and collaboration among staff. Integrated with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, this initiative encourages mutual support, fosters a sense of unity, and cultivates a collaborative spirit while enhancing staff well-being in the hospital setting.
Objectives :
The project’s ESG-aligned objectives are to:
(1) Strengthen teamwork and encourage cross-departmental collaboration
(2) Enhance sustainability by promoting sustainable practices and converting idle hospital spaces into eco-friendly gardens
(3) Ensure transparent and inclusive governance through a structured committee and measurable engagement.
Methodology :
Open to all Tuen Mun Hospital staff, the project attracted 376 applicants from 45+ departments, with259 staff members ultimately participating. Participants collaborated in small groups to design and maintain their garden plots. By working together, staff strengthened interprofessional relationships, improving workplace communication.
To support collaboration, the project provided shared resources, including seeds, tools, and expert-led workshops on organic gardening and sustainability. Teams experimented with eco-friendly innovations, such as composting hospital food waste and using rainwater irrigation, reinforcing resource-sharing and collective problem-solving.
Harvest-sharing parties were organised to further enhance teamwork, as staff exchanged produce and celebrated their joint achievements, reinforcing a culture of mutual support and fostering deeper connections among colleagues. The project also contributed to staff well-being by reducing stress and promoting a healthier work environment.
To measure the project's success, surveys were conducted, and data on waste recycled were collected. All Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire, aiming at evaluating the impacts of the Project.
Result & Outcome :
“Soil to Table” Gardening Project attracted overwhelming participation, with staff dedicating their time to gardening with colleagues in non-clinical setting, nurturing cross-departmental relationships and boosting workplace cohesion. The outcomes highlight how sustainability-focused team activities can elevate workplace dynamics, communication, and institutional loyalty in healthcare settings. A total of 50 questionnaires were collected, with approximately 20% of participants submitting their responses.
(1) Social impact:
• Teamwork & Collaboration: An overwhelming 92% of participants reported enhanced team spirit (團隊精神), and strengthened communication with colleagues (加強與同事的溝道), facilitating smoother interprofessional workflows.
• Organisational Belonging: Beyond teamwork, 89% felt a stronger sense of belonging (歸屬感) to Tuen Mun Hospital, indicating that the initiative successfully cultivated organisational cohesion and improved staff retention potential.
• Mental Well-being: 97% expressed joy and satisfaction from harvesting, underscoring the Project’s therapeutic benefits.
(2) Environmental impact
• 40kg of hospital food waste was recycled, along with over 500 old CDs repurposed into gardening tools by staff, in just 4 months.
• Staff's eco-awareness significantly rose, with 89% noting a significant increase, and 98% reporting substantially improved understanding of organic cultivation.
• Unused hospital areas transformed into green sanctuaries, enriching the environment and fostering a healing atmosphere for staff.
(3) Governance impact
• Organising Committee had been established to ensure transparent planning and execution, collecting participation data and feedback to assess the project's success.
• The initiative demonstrated the hospital’s commitment to ESG principles, aligning staff well-being with sustainability and governance goals.
